The Help's Jessica Chastain to Play Princess Diana?
Credit: Jon Furniss/WireImage; Tim Graham/Getty
One of Hollywood's hottest up-and-coming redheads just got the royal role of a lifetime.
Jessica Chastain has been cast as the late Diana, Princess of Wales in the film Caught in Flight, IndieWire reports.
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The Help actress, 30, will play Prince William and Harry's mom, who died at age 36 in 1997 in a car crash, in a film about her secret, alleged affair with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan, said to be the love of her life.
Directed by German director Oliver Hirschbiegel, Caught in Flight is "a love story between a princess locked in a tower and an ordinary man," according to a press release, and is set to begin filming in Pakistan, Angola, the South of France and Paris (the site of Diana's fatal car crash) in March 2012.
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Diana is said to have met Dr. Khan in 1995, and they embarked on a two-year affair up until her death. Dr. Khan, who Diana called "Mr. Wonderful," broke his silence about the romance in 2008 to British paper The Telegraph.
At one point, Keira Knightley was considered for the role given to Chastain, a breakout star this year thanks to The Help plus The Tree of Life starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.
Tell Us: Is Chastain the right choice to play Diana?
Tell Us What You Think
8I agree with Cilla. This actress is a poor choice to play Diana and why even make the movie? Leave her alone and have some consideration for her sons. As for Michelle Williams as Marilyn, that IS a joke. No way does she even come close to the persona of Marilyn Monroe.
I can not stand it when Hollywood tries to recreate someones life when they do not know the real details only rubbish gossip! And they always pick the ugliest actresses to portray them, like Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe...ugh...she's a freak compared to the beautiful Marilyn. And this Jessica lady to play Diana is a joke on itself I hope the film bombs big time and maybe hollywood would get the point!
I think she will do a fine job. She has a difficult part to play as everyone will be critiquely comparing her to Princess Diana. I wish her the best. Gretchen
Why do we need another movie about Princess Diana.
Why do we need another movie about Princess Diana.
Respect Diana`s memory. She was England`s ROSE and will always be loved by everyone who`s lives she touched. Do not film this! Respect William & Harry.
I kind of agree with the poster below me. It might still be too soon to be reopening these wounds. And I'm not sure she's the right visual fit to play Diana. But who knows. Makeup and hair can do just about anything.
why make the movie?... let's think of the future ... respect the two sons