Naomi Watts to play Princess Diana in Caught In Flight

Despite Jessica Chastain originally being linked to the role , Naomi Watts has been officially cast as Princess Diana in Caught In Flight .

The film will be directed by Downfall ’s Oliver Hirschbiegel, and it will focus on the final two years of Diana’s life.

Watts said of her casting, “It is such an honour to be able to play this iconic role – Princess Diana was loved across the world, and I look forward to rising to the challenge of playing her on-screen.”

Hirschbiegel added: “I am delighted to have such a truly exceptional actress who embodies the warmth, humanity and empathy of such a global icon as Princess Diana."

Production will begin in the UK later this year.

Watts certainly pips Chastain in the physical likeness stakes, though both are fine actresses. Let’s hope this is more The Queen , and less The Iron Lady

Matt Maytum
Editor, Total Film

I'm the Editor at Total Film magazine, overseeing the running of the mag, and generally obsessing over all things Nolan, Kubrick and Pixar. Over the past decade I've worked in various roles for TF online and in print, including at GamesRadar+, and you can often hear me nattering on the Inside Total Film podcast. Bucket-list-ticking career highlights have included reporting from the set of Tenet and Avengers: Infinity War, as well as covering Comic-Con, TIFF and the Sundance Film Festival.