It’s the role even acting great Naomi Watts was reluctant to take on: Princess Diana.
Now, a new trailer has given the world its first glimpse of Naomi playing the internationally beloved people’s princess.
The film, titled Diana, is due for release later this year.
It focuses on Diana’s relationships with heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan and Dodi Fayed and also highlights the growing problem the Princess had with the paparazzi.
The one-minute teaser shows Naomi’s Diana on the red carpet, campaigning against landmines in Africa and running away from the photographers who haunted her every step.
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While Naomi’s resemblance to Diana is striking, it’s her portrayal of the princess’ battle with the constant glare of the spotlight that makes the trailer so compelling.
The film’s producer Robert Bernstein has insisted the film is not needlessly salacious or sensational.
“We’re here to tell a love story and it’s very tragic,” he said. “There’s nothing sordid about the story we tell in the film.
“We’re not here for sensationalism or titillation, we just try to look at her relationship with Dr Hasnat Khan, a man who may have been the love of her life.
“We believe that she wanted to marry him. But their relationship ended and she was very wounded and upset. She was distraught sometimes, and very hurt, but not unhinged.”
During filming, Naomi told the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper that she almost turned the role down.
“I did struggle with the idea of doing it,” she said. “It’s definitely risky. But having said that, it’s a story that had to be told, I think, at some point.”
Diana is directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel and will premiere in London on September 5.
