Naomi Watts takes Princess Diana role in new movie

Actress Naomi Watts poses at the opening night gala for AFI Fest 2011 with the premiere of her new film film "J. Edgar" directed by Clint Eastwood in Hollywood November 3, 2011.

Actress Naomi Watts will play Britain's Princess Diana in a new feature film about the last two years of her glamorous life that ended in tragedy, Britain's Ecosse Films said on Thursday.

Called "Caught in Flight", the movie is thought to be the first big screen film about Diana, whose death in a Paris car crash in 1997 has been chronicled in several, mostly U.S., television movies.

Watts, last seen in "J.Edgar" and political movie "Fair Game", who was born in Britain and raised in Australia, said she was honored to be chosen. American newcomer Jessica Chastain ("The Help"), was previously attached to the project.

"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," Watts, 43, said in a statement.

Ecosse Films said the movie would chronicle the last two years of Diana's life and "how finding true personal happiness for the first time allowed her to achieve her defining successes evolving into a major international campaigner and humanitarian."

Media reports have said the movie will focus on Diana's secret two year affair with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan following her estrangement, and later divorce, from British heir to the throne, Prince Charles.

"Caught in Flight" will be directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, who directed the 2004 movie "Downfall" about Hitler's last days. Production will start in Britain later this year.

At least one other feature movie about Diana is in the works. Preliminary titled "Diana", that film has been in development for some months and is based on accounts of Diana's life as a member of the royal family by her longtime bodyguard Ken Wharfe. No casting has been announced.

Diana, formally known as the Princess of Wales, was just 36 years-old when she died in August 1997, causing an outpouring of worldwide grief.

Who do you think was the best dressed at the 2009 Oscars?

Natalie Portman

Penelope Cruz

Angelina Jolie

Anne Hathaway

Heidi Klum

Vanessa Hudgens

Kate Winslet

Jennifer Aniston

Freida Pinto

Amy Adams

Naomi Watts

Taraji P. Henson

Beyonce Knowles

Miley Cyrus

Sarah Jessica Parker

Naomi Watts says baby 'sucks weight off me'

Naomi Watts says her baby is helping her lose weight.

Australian actress Naomi Watts has revealed the trick to losing weight - breast feeding.

The advice is not much help to women who aren't pregnant or men who need to lose the unwanted roll or two around their bellies, but new mum Watts says it works for her.

Watts gave birth to her second son, Samuel Kai, just a month ago.

On Monday in New York for the premiere of boyfriend Liev Schreiber's new film, Defiance, the actress showed off a svelte figure.

"I'm breast feeding and he's sucking it all out of me, it seems," Watts, 40, told People magazine on the red carpet when asked how she got back in shape so quickly.

"And when the baby comes out, it's a lot of weight right there."

Watts and Schreiber welcomed their first son, Alexander Pete, into the world in July 2007.