Naomi Watts plays the late Princess Diana in a new biopic that focuses on the last years of her life. The Oscar nominated actress admitted that she was cautious at first about taking the role, since she didn’t know how Diana’s sons might react to the film, simply titled Diana.
E! News reports that Watts spoke with the Sunday Times about the film and why she nearly turned down the role.
“The biggest reason that made me pause was how the princes were going to be feel about this,” the actress told the Times. “There was actually quite an eerie moment in London when I did see Prince William in a restaurant, and I got very nervous, because if I caught his eye I didn't want to interpret a look and think he had a negative feeling about this idea, so I made sure not to look.”
Diana focuses on Diana’s love affair with Dr. Hasnat Khan, who is played by Lost actor Naveen Andrews. It leads up to her death in 1997 while she was being pursued by paparazzi in Paris.
“I turned it down twice,” Watts said, revealing that she was offered the role two years ago. “I was a little bit torn, but once I'd said no, I wasn't completely at peace. Sometimes when you say no, you feel free, but it just wasn't the case.”
Khan recently told the Daily News that the film is “completely wrong” and that he has no desire to see it. “It is a complete lie. I have never given any approval,” he said.
Meanwhile Reuters confirmed that Entertainment One will release Diana on Nov. 1 as Watts hopes for another shot at an Oscar.
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