Kristen Stewart to play Princess Diana in new movie

LONDON: Kristen Stewart will play the role of Princess Diana in an upcoming movie about the breakdown of her marriage to Prince Charles.

Stewart, best known for her role in the ‘Twilight’ movies, has been cast in the film which will take place over three days in the early 1990s when Diana made the bombshell decision to part ways with Charles.

Charles and Diana separated in 1992 and divorced four years later. Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997 at the age of 36.

The independent movie will be directed by Chilean Pablo Larrain and is expected to start shooting in 2021. No casting was announced for Charles.

“When someone decides not to be the queen, and says, I’d rather go and be myself, it’s a big decision, a fairy tale upside down,” Larrain told an entertainment outlet.

“How and why do you decide to do that? It’s a great universal story that can reach millions and millions of people, and that’s what we want to do. We want to make a movie that goes wide, connects with a worldwide audience that is interested in such a fascinating life,” he added.

The movie, titled ‘Spencer’ after Diana’s maiden name, is the latest in a string of movies, television series, documentaries and even a Broadway musical about the life of the late princess.

Larrain won critical praise for his 2016 film “Jackie” about the wife of US President John F. Kennedy. He said Stewart was a great fit for the part.

“She can be very mysterious and very fragile and ultimately very strong as well, which is what we need,” he said. “I think she’s going to do something stunning and intriguing at the same time.”