Deadline is reporting that Jessica Chastain has dropped out of the role of Princess Diana in Oliver Hirschbiegel’s biopic Caught In Flight and Naomi Watts will be replacing her.
“It is such an honour to be able to play this iconic role – Princess Diana was loved across the world, and I look forward to rising to the challenge of playing her on-screen,” said Watts.
“I am delighted to have such a truly exceptional actress who embodies the warmth, humanity and empathy of such a global icon as Princess Diana,” Hirschbiegel said.
Chastain, who spoke with The Playlist in December, stated that she want to “make sure it’s the right story,” which may be the reason for her departure as the film is said to paint the Princess in a negative light. The film will look at the last two years of Diana’s life as well as her affair with Pakistani heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan.
Caught In Flight is likely to be cinemas in 2013.