Kate Middleton has earned comparisons to Princess Diana for her charitable givings, but Naomi Watts has landed the role of playing the late princess in the upcoming movie “Caught in Flight.”

Watts said:

“It is such an honor 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.”

Reuters reports that the new movie will be the first major production about Princess Diana. (There have been several made-for-TV movies since Diana’s tragic death in 1997.)

Watts, who was nominated for an Oscar in 2004 for “21 Games,” was last seen in “J. Edgar” alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Jessica Chastain was originally attached to the project but Ecosse Films announced today that Watts would be taking on the role of Dianna.

“Caught in Flight” will focus on the final two years of Diana’s life. Ecosse Films said that the movie will show ”how finding true personal happiness for the first time allowed her to achieve her defining successes evolving into a major international campaigner and humanitarian.”

Several media outlets have reported that the movie will also focus on Diana’s secret two year affair with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan.

Oliver Hirschbiegel, who directed “Downfall” about Hitler’s demise, will helm the Princess Diana movie.

Princess Diana died in a car crash in August in 1997. She was 36-years-old.

Naomi Watts to Play Princess Diana in New Movie is a post from: The Inquisitr

Here’s some of the Home and Away alumni that now appear on television and in movies in the United States.

Chris Hemsworth

If Chris Hemsworth’s name isn’t familiar, his good looks might be better known: most recently he played the role of James T. Kirk’s father, George Kirk, in J. J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek and also appeared in the thriller A Perfect Getaway.

Hemsworth played the role of Kim Hyde on Home and Away from 2004 to 2007, and will star in upcoming horror film The Cabin in the Woods (executive produced by Joss Whedon0 and will portray Jed Eckert in the upcoming Red Dawn remake.

Guy Pearce

Making his TV debut in Australian soap Neighbors, Guy Pearce played the role of David Croft on Home and Away from 1991-1992.

His first major film was as a drag queen in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994. Since then, he has appeared in L.A. Confidential, Ravenous, Rules of Engagement, Memento, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Time Machine. Pearce recently portrayed pop artist Andy Warhol in Factory Girl and Harry Houdini in Death Defying Acts.

Heath Ledger

Ledger started as Scott Irwin on Home and Away in 1997 before going on to film his break out role in 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999. After his sad death in 2008, Ledger won a best supporting actor oscar for his role in the Dark Knight.

Isla Fisher

From 1994 to 1997 Isla Fisher played the role of Shannon Reed on Home and Away. After finishing with the show, she headed overseas and performed on stage in London before landing the role of Mary-Jane in the Scooby Doo movie. Her role in Wedding Crashers, alongside Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson won her the Breakthrough Performance Award at the MTV Movie Awards, and was followed by a range of roles that ultimately lead her to star in the movie adaption of the book Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Isabel Lucas

Lucas played the role of Tasha Andrews on Home and Away from 2003–2006 before heading across the Pacific for bigger and better things. Last seen on the big screen in Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, interest in Lucas continues to grow. She also appears in a lead role in the forthcoming Spielberg mini-series The Pacific.

Julian McMahon

The son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon, Julian played the role of Ben Lucini on Home and Away from 1990–1991.

A popular actor on American TV, Julian McMahon best known for his portrayals of Cole Turner in The WB hit series Charmed, womanizing plastic surgeon Christian Troy on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning TV show Nip/Tuck, and Doctor Doom/Victor Von Doom in Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Melissa George

After a stint modeling as a teenager, Melissa George appeared played Angel Parrish on Home and Away between 1993-1996.

After small roles in Dark City, The Limey, Mulholland Drive and Down with Love she starred in the series Charmed for the sixth season premiere. George achieved a significant breakthrough in 2003 when she landed the role of Lauren Reed on the ABC series Alias. Appearing in The Amityville Horror, she went on to appear in a number of movies before appearing in Grey’s Anatomy for 11 episodes as Sadie Harris.

Ryan Kwanten

Ryan Kwanten played lifeguard Vinnie Patterson on Home and Away from 1997-2002, before playing Jay Robertson in the Lori Loughlin-starring series Summerland from 2004-2005. Kwanten currently plays the role of Jason Stackhouse in True Blood.

Tammin Sursok

Tammin Sursok started her career playing Dani Sutherland on Home and Away from 2000-2004. After a failed attempt at a singing career, Tammin headed State side where she landed the role of Colleen Carlton on The Young and The Restless in 2007.

Other notable actors/ actresses to appear on Home and Away

Simon Baker: a brief role as James Healey in 1994

Naomi Watts: a brief role as Julie Gibson on Home and Away in 1991

Kristy Wright: Chloe Richards from 1995-1999. Appeared on Beastmaster as a ninja warrior

Justin Melvey: played Harry Keller Reynolds from 1999-2001. Went on to play Dr. Colin Murphy on Days of our Lives from 2001-2004.

Jason Smith: played Robbie Hunter from 2003-2007. Played Casey, the Red Ranger, in Power Rangers: Jungle Fury, a role than won him the 2005 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award for “Fave Tv Star” & “Fave Pash”

Nine Home and Away actors who went on to stardom is a post from: The Inquisitr

Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber upped their child tally to two with a birth of a baby boy in New York Saturday.

A rep for the couple said in a statement only that “I can confirm that Naomi and Liev had a baby boy yesterday.”

The couples first son, Alexander Pete, is 16 months old.

More details about the child from the “happily unmarried” couple will be released later this week.

Naomi Watts Liev Schreiber welcome second child is a post from: The Inquisitr

The other good news is that Naomi’s child on the way will be just a few months younger than her Australian pal Nicole Kidman‘s baby, so there are lots of opportunities for play dates in the future.

And there I was examining Naomi’s big fat diamond ring the whole time! Drat.

Image: Reuters

Naomi Watts Pregnant with 2nd! is a post from: The Inquisitr