Entertainment One acquires Naomi Watts as 'Diana'

By DiAngelea Millar

May 23, 2013 12 AM PT

Entertainment One acquired the U.S. rights to distribute the film “Diana,” starring Naomi Watts. The film, which will premiere in the U.K. in September, will hit U.S. theaters this year.

Oliver Hirschbiegel, who was nominated for an Academy Award for the movie “Downfall,” is directing “Diana,” in its post-production stage. Stephen Jeffreys, known for “The Libertine,” wrote the screenplay.

The movie focusses on the last two years of Princess Diana’s life and her relationship with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan.

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Two-time Academy Award nominee Watts plays Princess Diana alongside Naveen Andrews, who plays Khan. Watts was the only person who could bring Princess Diana to life, said Dylan Wiley, vice president of theatrical marketing and distribution for eOne films in the U.S.

“‘Diana’ will give audiences worldwide a chance to not only fall in love with the princess all over again but also discover a part of her life up until now kept out of the public eye,” Wiley said.

EOne is an international company that specializes in production, acquisition and distribution of films. The rights were acquired from Embankment Films and Ecosse Films. EOne will distribute the film in the U.S. U.K., Spain and Canada.

Embankment Films specializes in the financing of films and was founded in 2012 by Haslam and Hugo Grumbar. “Diana” will be its release.

Ecosse Films is a British film and television production company known for films like Andrea Arnold’s “Wuthering Heights” and Julian Jarrold’s “Becoming Jane.”

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Twitter:@DiangeleaMillar

angie.millar@latimes.com