Naomi Watts sparkles in biopic of Princess Diana

Hollywood star Naomi Watts captures the look of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, as she recreates her famous half-smile for a new film role.

Wearing diamond earrings and a dazzling necklace the British-born actress, 43, who began her acting career on Australian TV is seen in the first official photograph since filming began this week on the movie Diana.

The film – previously titled Caught In Flight – follows Diana, mother of Princes William and Harry, during the final two years of her life. She died aged 36 in 1997 in a Paris car crash.

Speaking from the movie set, Oscar-nominated Watts said: “I’m excited and honoured to be playing the role of a truly remarkable woman, who had such a positive and profound impact in so many ways.”

Other Brits to appear in the Oliver Hirschbiegel-directed film include Naveen Andrews, Douglas Hodge and Juliet Stevenson. It will be filmed over nine weeks. An Ecosse Films spokesman said: “The aim is to produce an insightful and compassionate study.”