Naomi Watts will star as Princess Diana in "Caught in Flight," Ecosse Films said on Thursday.
The announcement is a surprise as early reports had "The Help" actress Jessica Chastain playing "Shy Di" in the biopic.
Watts spent her teenage years in Australia and got her career started there, but was born in England, meaning that one of the United Kingdom's greatest icon's will be played by an actress with roots in the country. Chastain, talented though she may be, hails from Northern California.
Coming on the heels of American born Meryl Streep's performance as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," that might have been an affront too far to the British acting community, who should probably get first crack at some of their historical figures.
"Caught in Flight" will be directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, who is best known for "Downfall," his Oscar-nominated depiction of Hitler's last days.
Source: Reuters