0 Studio issues image of Naomi Watts as Princess Diana

LONDON: Movie company Ecosse Films on Wednesday released the first image of British-born actress Naomi Watts in the role of Princess Diana in an upcoming biopic of the late royal, "Diana".

The film, likely to generate intense media interest in Britain and the United States where the late princess was hugely popular, had originally been titled "Caught in Flight".

A statement from Ecosse said the film would be a "compelling portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales during the final two years of her life.

"It charts how finding true personal happiness allowed her to achieve her defining successes, as she evolved into a major international campaigner and humanitarian," it added.

There has been speculation in the media that the plot will explore Diana's relationships in the period leading up to her death in a Paris car crash in 1997 aged 36.

One of those was believed to have been with Hasnat Khan, a British-Pakistani surgeon who is being played by British actor Naveen Andrews. Douglas Hodge and Juliet Stevenson will also star.

Diana divorced heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles in 1996, and her untimely death sparked an outpouring of public grief that culminated in huge crowds lining the streets of London for her funeral.

Perhaps aware of the controversy a big screen portrayal of such a popular figure could cause, Ecosse directors Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae said: "Everyone's aim is to produce a truly insightful and compassionate study of Diana's later years."

Directing the movie will be German Oliver Hirschbiegel, best known for the Oscar-nominated Hitler drama "Downfall". Diana began shooting this week, and no release date has yet been announced.

0 Naomi Watts to play Princess Diana in biopic

LONDON: British-Australian actress Naomi Watts is to play Britain's Princess Diana in a movie about the late royal's final two years, filmmakers have announced.

Producers said "Caught in Flight" would focus on a period when Diana, the former wife of heir to the throne Prince Charles, found "true personal happiness" shortly before her death in a 1997 car crash in Paris.

Diana wed Charles in a glittering ceremony in 1981, but the unhappy marriage ended in 1996. Charles wed his long-time companion Camilla Parker-Bowles in 2005.

Watts, who won widespread critical acclaim for her role as Betty Elms in the 2001 psychological thriller "Mulholland Drive", said it was an honour to be able to play the "iconic role" of the woman known as the "People's Princess".

"Princess Diana was loved across the world and I look forward to rising to the challenge of playing her on screen," said the 44-year-old, who also won an Oscar nomination for her role as a recovering drug addict in "21 Grams".

The movie about the Princess of Wales, who was just 36 when she died, will be directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, best known for his epic 2004 film "Downfall" about the final days of Hitler. (AFP)

0 Naomi Watts now Australia's highest earning actress

Naomi Watts has been named Australia's highest earning actress.

She was placed at number three on BRW magazine's list of the country's wealthiest entertainers with earnings of 12 million pounds, the Daily Express reported.

Watts has been placed behind Global Creatures - the group responsible for Walking with Dinosaurs, the Arena Spectacular - and children's entertainers The Wiggles.

She beat her childhood friend Nicole Kidman who is in fifth place with 11.8 million pounds.

0 83rd Annual Academy Awards: Who Wore What? The 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party--Part 2!!

More Vanity Fair Fashion: The Divas, the Lace/See-Through No-No's, and Miss Rita Wilson, my New Fashion Best Girlfriend!

Lets start with the Divas!

Diva No. 1 Socialite Lynn Wyatt--One word: WOW! Class Epitomized. The creme white silk crepe column gown with long sleeves, the mint-green shawl, the clutch, the STATEMENT Necklace!!!! You know, when all the fashion insiders say "It's All About A Statement Necklace", Mrs. Wyatt SHOWS THEM huney what a REAL Statement necklace needs to look like!!! And here's a shocker of all shockers (not really): I bet you A LOT of money that she DOES NOT even have a STYLIST! It's all HER...They don't make Ladies like they use to.

Diva No. 2 Carolina Herrera, wearing her own design naturally. White silk duchess one shoulder gown with side pockets and black bow accent. Simply Stunning! This Venezuelan-born Diva also can teach an actress or two how to really dress. It helps that A) She's a Designer, and B) She literally GREW up watching her mother have private fittings in Paris with Couturiers such as Cristobal Balenciaga and Christian Dior back in the 1950's. Finally, I especially love that she posed with her hand in the pocket. This is NOT the "First Time at the Red Carpet Rodeo" for Mrs. Herrera.

Diva No. 3 Joan Collins: Joan Collins can do no wrong in my book! Is it a bit "kooky"? Yes, but does she still OWN it and WORK it? TOTALLY!!! She was On-Trend with the lilac color in the embroidered rosette details and the gown fits her well (great open neckline for her!). The perfect earrings and perfect clutch finish the look. She is OLD SCHOOL Hollywood and I love it!

And Now to Some Lace/See Through No-No Divas:

See Through No-No Number 1--Madonna: Now, I KNOW it was COLD last night! About 50 Degrees in fact. So why oh why would Madonna wear a see-through lace dress with the HIGHEST of slits over a corset and under-panty. And she throws a fur mini "chubby" as if that's going to help. I'm sure this was all Dolce & Gabbana, but I may be wrong (it sure looks it!). I know it's Madonna and she can basically can do whatever she wants. But why am I still perplexed by this? She does have THE BODY of Death, but...sometimes, covered up is actually SEXIER.

See-Though No-No Number 2: Naomi Watts--What, in the name of the Fashion Gods, is this? Why is their a nude-colored piece in her stomach/upper chest? And are those off-white feathers in the back? I just don't even get it.

See Though No-No Number Trois: Jessica Szhor in a Leather, see-though, sequined midriff, nude mini. Really? Those four things NEVER enter my Fashion Vocabulary TOGETHER!!! Do these women have full-length mirrors? Or have they forgotten to pay their electric bills so they can't see themselves before leaving the house? And if so, then WHO is lying to them? Seriously WHO???

THIS...Is How You Do Lace & Nude Ladies:
Take Note (Ladies Above): Camila Alves got it right! Here she is with her sexy husband, Matthew McConaughey in this black lace over nude gown and looking elegant, sexy and GORGEOUS! I also love that she did an "outfit change" (of course she did) from her Academy Awards Red Carpet Kaufman Franco black ball gown (which I LOVED!!!).

Printed Gals:

Cameron Diaz: Love me some Cameron Diaz. Love. But not so much in this very mini Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 2011 one-shoulder ruffled neckline cocktail dress. The original sample is actually knee-length and maybe it should have stayed that way. Or just made it about 2 inches longer. That's all it needed to be. With her mile-long legs, the mini...was, well, too mini unfortunately.

Ladies Don't Try This Look At Home: Rita Wilson--The multi-printed satin dress, the feathered (!) purse, the necklace, the bracelet, the strappy heels, the heavy-banged Bouffant 'do: Oh Miss Rita! It's "Valley of The Dolls", the Vanity Fair Oscars Party Version. It's a mess, but here's a surprise: To me, it's a GOOD MESS. Why, you may ask? Anybody who attempts this outfit at a party MUST be a HOOT!!!! If I spotted a woman at a party (at the Open Bar, I am sure!) dressed like this, she would be the first person I would talk to! You just KNOW someone who has enough chutzpah to do this, must be fun!