Jessica Chastain to play Diana in emotional drama painting princess as lovestruck stalker

from dailymail

GaplekNews--To those who loved her, she could do no wrong. But to her detractors, Princess Diana was an adultress who tore apart a family. 

 

There's no doubt that 14 years since the tragic accident that took her life, Diana's legacy continues to fascinate, enthrall, and offend in equal measures.

Now, a controversial new film that paints Diana in an unflattering light is set to get tongues wagging once again.

In an emotional drama to be released next year, the erstwhile People's Princess will be seen following her alleged one-time lover after their relationship breaks down.

Caught in Flight tells the story of Diana's secret affair with heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan, telling the story of their love - and painting a vivid picture of Diana's psychological demise after Khan calls time on their relationship. 

 

With early descriptions of the film saying Diana is painted as 'a lovestruck stalker,' It is likely to be the most critical appraisal of Diana yet, and one that will be fiercely opposed by those in Diana's inner circle.

Last night, Hollywood insider Anne Thompson said of the film: 'The late Princess is not cast in a particularly favourable light.

from dailymail

'She is shown as a damaged person who stalks the doctor after he ends the affair.'

American actress Jessica Chastain - who recently starred in Oscar-tipped drama The Help and alongside Brad Pitt in The Tree Of Life has already agreed to play the Princess in the movie.

The 30-year-old redhead will have to work on her English accent, something that American actors find notoriously difficult - just ask Anne Hathaway, who was lambasted for her roaming accent in One Day that veered wildly around the globe.

Executives are describing the film as a 'love story between a princess locked in a tower and an ordinary man.' 

 

Last night, an insider revealed: 'We're expecting a lot of people will not be happy with this movie. 

 

'But it is a fabulous story and one which needs to be told.' 

 

The film will go into pre-production in March 2012 by UK-based company 'Ecosse Films' - whose credits include 'Nowhere Boy' and 'Mrs. Brown.' 

 

German film-maker Oliver Hirshbiegel will take charge of the £9m movie - which will be shot in Pakistan, Angola, the South of France and Paris.

Hirshbiegel previously made 'Downfall' - the critically acclaimed movie which chronicled Hitler's last days.

The princess met Dr. Hasnat Khan at the Royal Brompton Hospital in 1995 when she was visiting a friend who was recovering from heart surgery.  

 

The couple pursued a quiet two-year affair. Dr. Khan - whom she named 'Mr. Wonderful' - maintained an eleven-year silence over the relationship, until he spoke about the affair in 2008.

The relationship was described as being so serious that Diana was thinking of converting to Islam.

She wore traditional dress to meet his family on a visit to Pakistan and was reportedly 'heartbroken' when the doctor decided to end the relationship.

The production of the film follows on from an earlier production of another Royal drama, William & Kate: The movie, the widely panned film that emerged from an American production company ahead of the Royal Wedding.

American actors took the roles of William and Kate, and struggled with the plummy British accents throughout the hammy production.

With very little to go on beyond speculation and rumour, the ‘made for TV’ film was said at the time to be 'truly terrible: shoddily cast, poorly executed, badly edited and surprisingly boring.'

Dr Khan was interviewed by the Telegraph in 2008 but refused to divulge any details, and has since remained tight-lipped on the subject.

With facts surrounding Diana's relationship with Dr Khan likely to be in even shorter supply, it is likely this film with be just as enlightening. dailymail