
- Kristen Stewart (opens in new tab) has been cast to portray the late Princess Diana in an upcoming film titled Spencer.
- The film is set to be directed by Pablo Larraín (Jackie) with a script helmed by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders).
- Spencer is set to begin production in 2021.
Kristen Stewart is set to portray the late Princess Diana in a new film titled Spencer. According to Deadline (opens in new tab), Pablo Larraín will direct Stewart in the new drama, which will commence production in 2021. The filmmaker isn't a stranger to directing some of history's most fascinating women; he also helmed 2016's critically acclaimed Jackie which starred Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy in the aftermath of John F. Kennedy's murder.
Per Deadline, the Steven Knight-scripted film will take place over the span of a weekend in the early '90s when Princess Diana ultimately decides to end her marriage to Prince Charles and plan a life apart from the royal family. The story will reportedly take place over three days and take viewers into one of the royal's last Christmas holidays spent in the House of Windsor at the queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England.
"We all grew up, at least I did in my generation, reading and understanding what a fairy tale is. Usually, the prince comes and finds the princess, invites her to become his wife and eventually she becomes queen. That is the fairy tale," explained Larraín to Deadline. "When someone decides not to be the queen, and says, I’d rather go and be myself, it’s a big big decision, a fairy tale upside down. I’ve always been very surprised by that and thought it must have been very hard to do. That is the heart of the movie."
Princess Diana, Prince William, Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth II at their Sandringham estate in 1991.
The film will not cover Diana’s tragic death in 1997 but will instead focus on the breaking down of her and Charles’s relationship, as well as her fierce love for her two children, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The Chilean director expressed that he's "always been intrigued and fascinated" by the role of the royal family within global culture. He explained that the film will focus on how Diana's inner independence continued to inspire generations of women, even to this day.
"We decided to get into a story about identity, and around how a woman decides somehow, not to be the queen," he added. "She’s a woman who, in the journey of the movie, decides and realizes that she wants to be the woman she was before she met Charles."
Lorraín went on to praise Stewart as an actress and voice his faith in her upcoming portrayal of the people's princess.
"To do this well, you need something very important in film, which is mystery," he said of Stewart's casting. "Kristen can be many things, and she can be very mysterious and very fragile and ultimately very strong as well, which is what we need. The combination of those elements made me think of her. The way she responded to the script and how she is approaching the character, it’s very beautiful to see. I think she’s going to do something stunning and intriguing at the same time. We’re very happy to have her, she’s very committed. As a filmmaker, when you have someone who can hold such a weight, dramatic and narrative weight just with her eyes, then you have the strong lead who can deliver what we are looking for."
The news of Spencer also arrives months ahead of another onscreen portrayal of Diana: The Crown’s highly anticipated fourth season. Rising British actress Emma Corrin will portray the young Lady Spencer as the Netflix series includes the late royal's storyline for the first time.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
subscribe here (opens in new tab)
RELATED STORIES
Bianca Betancourt is the Culture Editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com where she covers all things film, TV, music, and of course, Royal Family ongoings. When she's not writing she loves impulsively baking a batch of cookies, re-listening to the same early 2000s pop playlist and stalking Mariah Carey's Twitter feed.
-
This Year’s Hottest Wine Club
The subscription service made by wine lovers, for wine lovers.
By Sponsored
-
Found: Bracelets to Fall For
Get ready to mix, match, and stack.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Jamie Lee Curtis Posed Topless on a Magazine Cover at 50 and People "Lost Their Minds," Apparently
Why are people like this?
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Miley Cyrus' New Song Is Packed With References to Ex Liam Hemsworth, And People Are Obsessed With Her "Queen Behavior"
Exhibit A: She released it on his birthday.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Taylor Swift Fans Have Big Feelings About Ticketmaster Crashing Due to "Historically Unprecedented Demand"
There was heartbreak.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Taylor Swift Beat the *Actual* Beatles With Her New Billboard Chart Rankings
I am shaken to the very core.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Taylor Swift Removes "Fat" Scale Scene From Music Video Following Backlash
The discussion rages on.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors