Here are the first photos (that I’ve seen) of Naomi Watts in character as Princess Diana, filming Caught In Flight. Thoughts? I’ve been staring at these photos for about ten minutes now, trying to form an opinion. I will say this – I knew immediately what the photos were when I first glanced at them. I knew it was an actress playing Princess Diana. So… that’s something, right? It’s good that the hair and makeup people are good enough that the Diana character is instantly recognizable, and that Naomi is doing a good “Diana-Eyes-Downcast” look. But… just a cursory glance through the pics, and you realize that it’s just Naomi Watts in an especially busted Diana wig. I’m sorry, Diana didn’t really do the “double Farrah” hair either – she did the “wings” sure, but was it ever double-paneled?
Anyway, I’m a bit worried about this movie. Thankfully, they haven’t screwed up the casting, like, I don’t know, hiring Nicole Kidman to play a 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer or something along those lines. Jessica Chastain was originally cast as Diana (Diana circa 1995-96), but Jessica had scheduling problems and Naomi took over the role. Caught In Flight is about Diana’s last great love affair/relationship, the quiet, years-long relationship she had with a Pakistani doctor named Hasnat Kahn. Kahn had broken things off with Diana just a few months before her death – many believe Diana was just seeing Dodi Fayed as a way to make Hahn jealous. There are some reports that claim that this film is about Diana “stalking” Kahn, which… I don’t know. She was in love with him, they had a relationship for several years, and she was (reportedly) heartbroken when he ended things. I don’t know. I wish they were making a different Diana movie, because this one seems kind of rough.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Terrible pictures. They don’t even resemble to the late Diana.
Come on! THE NOSE! Diana had a big honker. Naomi has a cute perky one. A prosthetic nose is required much like Kidman had to use when portraying Virginia Wolf. Diana was no delicate flower. She was big and angular.
Poor Diana, she turning in her grave, Charles marries Magilla Camilla and now Naomi! she looks more like the Queen!
Does she pull it off…I vote NO…
Well thankfully they aren’t doing something stupid like getting Lindsay Lohan to plan Princess Diana, like that stupid Liz & Dick fiasco. Naomi Watts seems to be a good actress and I’m sure she’ll do fine. No one is ever going to look identical to Diana.
I could not agree less. Naomi Watts is not even a close resemblance to Diana. Why do they do stupid sh*T like that. First of all she’s way too short and way too old.
I agree and Naomi Watts is a great actress,I am sure she ‘s going to give the right vibe to the charachter
I think people get waaaaaay too focused on whether an actor looks exactly like the person they are playing. Going into a movie of historical fiction, as a viewer, I would rather they get the SUBSTANCE right over the visuals. Tell me about the person’s personality, their decision making, etc. Whether or not the actress has the same nose or double row of curls is REALLY superficial, IMO.
For example, Colin Firth didn’t look EXACTLY like King George VI in King’s Speech, but it was still worth watching because it told the story about the person. I feel like standards are different when it comes to women.
May be a double standard, but Colin Firth played someone most people don’t remember. Obviously talent matters, but to those of us that are visual it is next to impossible to find an actor believable if they don’t look like the character they are playing.
@Tiffany: Excellent comment, I agree.
NW is a good actress, so it will be interesting to see how she does in the role.
I think Brits of a certain age remember what George VI looked like. He was a much loved monarch.
Agree with you that an actor’s ability to pull off a role such as this should trump an actor’s physical likeness to said person. Watts has the acting chops to do this and will likely do it well, but …
On the note of Colin Firth playing and pulling off George VI without bearing semblance to the real-life king, keep in mind that Lady Di was much more of a media icon, and yes, a very visual one at that. Her features were very … specific. The nose, the jaw, the hair. So I, too, believe that the focus placed on casting someone who looks or can look convincingly similar to the part is, if not as essential as casting someone who can carry the role, a definite necessity for the overall “sell factor” of something like this. It’s the same reason that “My Week with Marilyn” didn’t draw the audience it was projected to attract.
Wasn’t Diana’s hair during this phase of her life also less … hairsprayed-looking and helmet-like? Maybe if Naomi’s hair people brushed the wings and waves out a bit and combed down that horrid “tail” at the nape of her neck, I would be more forgiving.
And on one last, more serious note, I should add that I DO NOT think this movie should be getting made. It’s exploitative and disrespectful to the figure herself and anyone who knew, loved, and/or appreciated her for all the good she did (as flawed as she was).
She looks… too old. Something’s off. I don’t see it. That wig is AWFUL.
ITA. If Naomi really wanted to commit to the role, she should have cut her hair! Plenty of actors/actresses cut their hair for roles. The wig ruins everything.
She is way too old for this role. Princess Diana had presence and strength about her. This doesn’t have that.
Sadly, Naomi is a decade too old, to be portraying a 30-36 year old Diana.
But I find it odd that anyone thought this was a good idea. To make a movie, now, about the Diana and her last legit boyfriend. It just seems to be in poor taste.
Big fail , she looks nothing like Di. She is too old to even play her when she was young. Di was not a little thing she was 5’6 or more and her hair never looked like that crap they are calling wigs. No moneyu to be made on this flick, such a shame they couldnt find someone who actually could look something like DI..this could ruin Naomi’s career.
“such a shame they couldnt find someone who actually could look something like DI.”
1.) You will NEVER find an actress that looks exactly like Di. First, Princess Diana didn’t have a twin. Second…an actress with Diana’s nose wouldn’t have the experience to do a good job, as she wouldn’t be hired do do a lot of camera work (that might sound cruel, but comments like yours support the idea that people care more about what an actress looks like than her talent).
2.) Why would you be more concerned about what the actress looks like instead of focusing on whether they hired a talented person who could tell her story? If you want a model, fine, but I think you would get an even crappier movie. Naomi has been Oscar nominated several times and has been making films for decades. She has the talent and grace to do this.
She’s definitely too old and I do like Naomi Watts. The wig is busted.
@Happy Joy…I agree..she is way to old to play Diana. And, she doesn’t look a thing like her. The age thing is a big problem for me. And, she isn’t as tall and thin a Diana was either. Just no. she looks nothing like Diana.
Actually, she looks more like she should be playing Camilla
EXACTLY! She looks just like Camilla!
No. And I’m not a hater – loved her in “Painted Veil.” The wig is awful. And Diana’s nose in that pic looks enormous. Bad shots of all of them.
The Painted Veil was brilliant, one of my favourite films 🙂
The wig is totally busted though. It seems to age her quite a bit.
Also … Sorry, but the pedantic nit picker in me has to mention that she was never actually Princess Diana, just like Waity isn’t. Her title was first Lady Diana Spencer, then the Princess of Wales after she got married. Then back to Lady
Actually, according to what I’ve read from valid resources, Diana never went back to being “Lady Diana” after her divorce. When the Brit royals divorce, the “non-royal” spouse keeps their married titles until their royal ex remarries. Diana would have been Diana, Princess of Wales, (not Princess Diana, as she wasn’t a princess in her own right) until Charles married Camilla, had she not died. Then she would have lost the Princess of Wales title all together. This is how Fergie is still the Duchess of York, even though she’s been gone from the royal family for a long time now.
However, if I’m wrong, feel free to correct me.
@Phantom Goddess, She was never Princess Diana, even when married. That was a press thing.
@Amelia is right that her correct title was Lady Diana, Princess of Wales. Again the press preferred to call her either Princess Diana or Diana, Princess of wales but neither was correct.
Fergie got stripped of HRH, didn’t she?
I think you could be right actually Phantom 🙂 tbh I barely remember, I only really remember watching the TV in ’97 when I was 6. I really should research it ..
I have to be nit-pickey too, and I say this with lots of love. Princess Diana did start life as Lady Diana Spencer. When she married she became Diana, Princess of Wales. After the divorce she became Lady Diana, Princess of Wales. She was not a princess of blood and could not have “Princess-Christian Name” since that is only for those born Princesses. She retained the suffix “Princess of Wales.” *shakes* It feels great to get all that “nerdiness” out! 🙂
that third pic makes Diana look uber-goth
Terrible wig.
they should have given her a prosthetic nose and it would have been much more believable. naomi’s nose isnt as prominent and it would be an easy fix.
I don’t think Diana’s family would take too kindly to Naomi wearing a prosthetic schnozz to portray her. Just my guess.
Prostectic Schnozz cracked me up for some reason.
Hahahahahah – ROFL!
The hair is somewhat similar and that’s about it.
I’m kinda annoyed that this film is being made.
No. She’s too small.
Wow, I had no idea about Diana and Khan so I’m interested in the story.
The wig on Naomi isn’t quite right, imo. Plus, at that point in time wasn’t Diana finally letting go of the feathered ‘do for one that was more sleek looking and less dated?
Admittedly my Diana timeline is fuzzy and obviously my knowledge is full of gaps since I was unaware of this romance.
This is so wrong.
In the header pic I thought it was Camilla. So…no. She doesn’t pull it off. But that’s he casting’s dep. fault.
NOPE…
Um, no. This isn’t working for me. At all.
what a cheap looking wig, and the style is wrong.
not a good start if you can’t even get the hair right.
i would love to see a really good movie about diana’s life, though.
She looks like Tina Brown, not Diana.
That’s what i thought.
Naomi is too thin. She should gain weight to look the part.
I feel like these are just bad shots. Daily mail has pictures from a different day on set, and she pulls it off quite a bit better there.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2167632/Naomi-Watts-double-Princess-Diana-look-Australian-actress-role-tragic-Royal.html
And Di was still doing that feathered look in 96 and 97.
LOVE Dianna and love Naomi, but this= MEH.
I adore Naomi but I’m not sure why she’s doing this film. In fact, I’m not really sure why someone thought it was a good idea to green-light this flick, period.
My guess is that Ecosse Films is trying to capitalize on the wave of Will & Kate mania.
Absolutely NOT! What is the deal with the face and neck wrinkles? (2nd and 3rd pic) Not even a close resemblance.
I may get crucified for this, but I never understood all of the attention Diana received as a great beauty. She was very attractive yes, but not what I’d consider a beauty.
The face was fine but her hair was pretty dreadful. Too matronly and always made her look like a soccer mom.
I’m with you, I always thought she was a plain Jane more than a great beauty.
She was radiant and charismatic throughout her life. You can see it even in photographs.
A person like that draws you in.
It’s easy to be swayed that they are beautiful.
Harry inherited that from her.
Agreed. In these photos, she just doesn’t have the charisma. Plus she looks too thin. Diana would have filled out that dress.
@Lak agree…She was BEAUTIFUL..it was her inner glow. She would light up a room when she walked in. It was the essence of Diana. The camera loved her. And, you are right..Harry has it. William does not. William is more like his Dad and Harry totally has his mother’s spark.
She wasn’t drop dead gorgeous but there was a vulnerable strength about her that was so appealing. Her humanity and compassion certainly added a lot to her beauty. And by royal family standards she was comparatively stunning.
Apparently the alternative is to have someone so beautiful that it becomes their sole occupation (cough! Kate Middleton! cough! get a fucking job! cough!).
lol at the last paragraph.
I’m obviously in the minority here but I feel that Naomi doesn’t pull off the Diana look. Not for the reasons that everyone else stated here (although the wig is horrible) but because Naomi is just too pretty to play Diana. Not that Diana was ugly by any means but Naomi is gorgeous in comparison.
Thanks for saying this, Mary. Exactly what I was thinking.
@Mary….are you kidding me? She looks to be at least 10 years older than Diana was at the time. She is a good actress but far to old to play this part. As I stated earlier..she looks more like Camilla than Diana. Too old…
Think ellen de generes could be great Diana with high heals Or Amy ransom but watt is very bad choose
And the best could be cate blanchett
ohhh…you are right! Cate Blanchett would have been awesome!
Cate Blanchett would be amazing.
I also think Tilda Swinton could have done a fantastic job on this. Tilda’s older than what they’re trying to portray but she’s kinda ageless… and it’s Swinton. She’s perfect for everything, ever.
Tilda probably wouldn’t need to do too much research because she went to school with Diana.
All of these people you guys are speaking of are too old to play Diana. Period..
No; busted and budget looking. But that seems to be the trend in Hollywood.
Yikes, no.
Nope.. she isn’t Diane at all.. just herself, refreshed and glamored up..
This is bad. I think Charlize could have pulled it off. Both statuesque women. CT would have used her real hair styled in the updated chic shorter hairdo that Diana had later in her life. Wigs NEVER work
No, no, and no. Diana was more busty. Naomi, whom I love as an actress, is too thin and old. The wig is CHEESY.
I hadn’t heard of this film… It all seems kind of…tacky? I dunno, as someone who’s lost their mother at a pretty young age (Although not nearly as young as William & Harry), the last thing I would want to see is a movie about my mother, made by people acting like they knew her and exploiting her life for money.
Co-sign!
Sadly I think her sons are well and truly used to people exploiting their mother’s memory by now.
She looks like a younger, spruced-up Camilla. Ugh.
Exactly what I thought when I saw the pics: A younger Camilla! If that had been the intention, it would have been good casting.
Lindsay Lohan looks more like Elizabeth Taylor than Naomi Watts looks like Diana.
That’s how bad this is.
FAIL.
Busted is too kind. Obviously I’m in the minority because I find Diana was more beautiful than Naomi. And even though she’s about the age? Diana never looked so old. Naomi looks like she’s a badly cast Marilyn Monroe double. Just tragic.
They should have waited for Chastin (who looks a little more like her because of their similar strong jaws).
Horrible wig. Small chested. All wrong. Ugh….
Oh God I thought that was Diana…in the 80’s!
I believeved the Royal obsession was over, The Queen, The King’s speech, the Madonna’s mess, and now Diana?
Btw mum is going to be happy,she is a Dianalooney :).
no
This is not an ageist comment, just being truthful. She’s too old. You sure she’s not portraying Tina Brown?
I don’t see Diana either but maybe it will come.
At first (and second) glance she looks like a younger Camilla in the first picture. Epic fail! I am no Diana fan but she doesn’t look like her nor does she at least bring across that certain “something” Diana had. Unfortunate casting 🙁
She looks much more like Camilla than Diana in these pics.
absolutely NOT!
i love Naomi, but Diana was like 6′ in heels!
bad, bad casting decision. Nicole or a fresh unknown would’ve been much better i think.
Nope!! Gotta agree with others on here. The wig is awful and Cate Blanchett would have been a better choice.
Naomi is too pretty, too thin, too short, and too old. Diana had a big nose, which she learned to balance with big hair. Check out young Diana as the bride pics. Very big beak & big teeth, like William.
Both Naomi & Jessica have more refined features than Diana. Chastain has a pronounced cleft-chin which Diana did not.
Chastain is too young.
If they could make Lea Michelle a blue-eyed blond, her nose would be about right.
I was never sold on Naomi as Princess Diana especially now after looking at these pictures. For starters, she’s too old to play 30-something Diana. She’s also much shorter with a delicate, extremely thin frame. I think Diana was 5’10 and even at her thinnest, she never looked as tiny as Naomi. I think Naomi is a very talented actress but I think she was miscast in this part.
Ugh, this is just wrong. I like Naomi Watts, but this is a dreadful casting mistake.
NO, I had no idea who she was even trying to be in the header pic
Bad choice… besides the height… and what else… we can see the wrinkles in Naomi’s face…I hope the accent is worth!!!
No. You would think that after all these years they could find an actress to play Princess Di. Naomi Watt’s is not pulling it off, at all.
Di had a doe eyed, almost shy quality about her. The closest I have seen quality in an actress would be Michelle Williamns, Rene Zellweger, Joey Adams.
The hair is off. It’s just…not right.
Diana wore her hair in a fairly simple style. I don’t understand why they couldn’t get it right here. I like Naomi Watts, but she is terribly miscast in this role. This is a fail all the way around.
They should just Diana RIP
waaaay too matronly. not even close.
I love Naomi but she’s wrong for the role. She’s way too tiny and thin to be playing Diana. I’m not even sure why she accepted it.
Amelia, actually her title when she died was Diana, Princess of Wales. She lost the HRH as part of the divorce but she didn’t “go back” to being Lady Diana. Instead she was styled as Diana, Princess of Wales.
At first glance … the hair’s all wrong and the boobs are too small. Let’s face it: Diana had a nice rack …
Hmmm… kinda sorta? But frankly, I wished they would have just found an unknown actress who really resembled Di to play the role instead.
No.
Ew. No, too old, too..rough. Definitely a better Camilla
No, she does not pull it off. She doesn’t have the youthful aura Diana did. It isn’t that Naomi Watts is old, I just think the styling is wrong. I don’t know if anyone could pull off a performance as Diana; she was one-of-a-kind. Not being sentimental about this, either. Even in movies that were made when Diana was alive, no one ever captured her character in movies. Some people just can’t be imitated.
Sad hair, sad choices all around.
No, it was not a good choice to cast Naomi Watts. She just doesn’t cut it at all. Look at the way Michelle Williams portrayed Marilyn, despite not looking like Marilyn she had the same fragile, sex kitten quality about her. I think she would have been a better choice, or Keira Knightly perhaps could have pulled it off.
No, no, no. Doesn’t even come close.
Good Lord, not even close. That wig is horrible. I don’t get it. It is a simple thing to get the look right, even if the actress physically doesn’t resemble Diana.
They have to be able to pull people into the theatre. This isn’t a Lindsay Lohan movie where people will simply watch for the train wreck factor.
Remember Meryl Streep as Julia C. That was authentic. She didn’t look physically like her but one was pulled in very quickly in that movie..
I like Naomi, she is a fine actress. But wardrobe and makeup has got to step it. Give Naomi a chance at least.
No way. I was sorry Jessica Chastain could not do this role, because I thought she would have been very good. Naomi is too old, and she does not resemble Diana in the slightest.
nope…she doesn’t. and i wish people would lay off the Diana movies, no actress is capable of pulling it off. Di always had that special sadness in her eyes, no one can resemble her.
I was there in the street crowds for her funeral in London- I was all composed, thought i wouldn’t cry but then i saw the bouquet of lily of valley flowers w/ the ‘Mummy’ card and lost it…
stop digging her up from the grave!!!
I loved Princess Diana…no, sadly Naomi doesn’t really resemble Diana in these pics…the hair isn’t even right. I’m sure they could at least find a wig, or make a wig to match Diana’s hair. Also, Naomi doesn’t really resemble Diana, just like Lohan doesn’t resemble Liz Taylor.
No, I don’t think Naomi looks like her. I think she kind of looks like Camilla. Movie topic sounds interesting though. Why is it a major movie? I think it would be more suited for Lifetime.
She looks as much like Diana as Hilary Clinton looks like Michelle Obama. That is to say that Naomi looks NOTHING even REMOTELY like Diana. She looks more like Helen Mirren in The Queen though. But not even slightly remotely like Diana. Big FAIL casting her.
She does NOT pull it off. Diana really looks like WIlliam in that picture.
NO… does not remotely remind me of her. Too platinum blonde and no resemblance at all to Diana.
naomi is my favorite! she looks just like her