By Months after Emma Corrin brought an award-winning, rousing performance of the late Princess Diana to the television screen in The Crown, another beloved - and well established - actor is bringing her version of the 'People's Princess' to the big screen.
Kristen Stewart has played the role of Lady Diana Spencer who, after marrying Prince Charles in 1981, became an adored – yet hounded – member of the royal family, and the mother to future heir of the throne Prince William and his brother Prince Harry.
The late royal's life has been one of intense speculation ever since she arrived on the royal scene, dating the Prince of Wales as a 19-year-old in the early 1980s, with the fascination not ceasing after she passed away following a tragic car accident in 1997.
Princess Diana's legacy continues to live on almost a quarter of a century years after her passing, as is evident by another biopic being released about her life.
Here's everything you need to know:
What has Kristen Stewart said about the royals?
In an interview with Vanity Fair in February 2022, Stewart admitted that she wasn't aware Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to California in 2020.
'That's so funny. I wonder where,' she said of learning about their relocation. 'I'm no better than anyone! Of course I want to know.'
After learning that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reside in Santa Barbara, she went on to say: 'That makes sense. It's really nice up there.'
The 31-year-old also revealed that she had only watched parts of Markle's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying: 'It was almost too hot to touch in terms of how personal it was for me at that time.'
Has Kristen Stewart won an award for Spencer?
Kristen Stewart received her first Oscar nomination in February 2022 for 'Best Actress' due to her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer.
She's up against Jessica Chastain for biographical drama The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Olivia Colman for psychological thriller The Lost Daughter, Penélope Cruz for emotional drama Parallel Mothers and Bombshell star Nicole Kidman for the historical film Being the Ricardos.
Elated by the news, Stewart reacted to her nomination in a statement, per Entertainment Tonight, and expressed that she would have loved to share the moment with her Spencer director, Pablo Larrain.
She said: 'Wow I wish Pablo and I were in the same country today. I wish I could see his face. I am speechless and humbled this morning. I am bowled over by this. I never thought in a thousand years I’d be in the company of these four incredible women.
'I would pay to make movies. I would make them if it was illegal. This is dream state, to share on this level. I am so touched and I am so grateful for the work that was generated on this film. I'm so proud to be a part of our film community. I am so happy. It is a good day.'
What will the Princess Diana biopic Spencer be about?
While The Crown has and will address various stages in the activist's life, the film titled Spencer will focus on one particular three-day period.
Set during a Christmas break at Sandringham with the royal family in 1991, the film will tell the story of that particular weekend where 'Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles'.
In real life, the couple announced their separation in 1992 - a year which the Queen described as her 'annus horribilis' - but legally divorced four years later in 1996.
Who is cast in Spencer?
Playing Diana is Kristen Stewart.
On October 18 the production company behind the film, STX Films, released an exclusive poster to ELLE UK for the upcoming film.
In the photo Stewart is seen leaning against a car dressed in a tartan wool trench coat, a white rollneck top and sunglasses. The look has been styled with a gold watch and large pearl and gold earrings.
On March 25, 2021, the production companies behind the film, NEON and Topic Studios, released an internet-breaking photo of the Twilight actor embodying the late Princess of Wales.
In the snap, the actor wears a red and green tartan blazer, a high neck cream-coloured top, pearl earrings and what we presume is a blonde wig.
On the same day, further casting to the film was also confirmed. Prince Charles will be portrayed by Poldark's Jack Farthing and further cast members include British actors Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins and Sean Harris.
The film has been directed by Pablo Larraín - no stranger to making films about famous women from history having been behind the camera of the 2016 biopic Jackie starring Natalie Portman as First Lady Jackie Kennedy. The script was penned by Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight.
Has Spencer received good reviews?
Stewart debuted her Princess Diana biopic Spencer at the Venice Film Festival in September 2021 to rave reviews, and even had a Princess Diana moment on the red carpet.
The newly-blonde star arrived on the red carpet in a mint-green Chanel outfit and posed for photos in a stance that looked familiar to a now-famous image of the late Princess in 1980 amid rumours of her relationship with Prince Charles.
Critics have praised Stewart for her role in Spencer, with the New York Times describing her casting as a 'a meta stroke of genius', while the Telegraph gave it five stars.
Following the screening the actor received a five-minute standing ovation.
What has Kristen Stewart said about playing Princess Diana?
Discussing the role while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live in November, Stewart said she feels 'very protective' of Diana after embodying her on screen.
'It's hard not to feel protective over her. I mean, she was, like, so young...' the actress said.
Last Autumn, Stewart told InStyle that she hadn't been as excited to play a part as she was for Spencer in a very long time.
'The accent is intimidating as all hell because people know that voice, and it's so, so distinct and particular. I'm working on it now and already have my dialect coach. In terms of research, I've gotten through two and a half biographies, and I'm finishing all the material before I actually go make the movie,' she said.
'It's one of the saddest stories to exist ever, and I don't want to just play Diana — I want to know her implicitly. I haven't been this excited about playing a part, by the way, in so long.'
Is there a trailer for Spencer?
Yes.
On September 23 the makers of the film released their UK trailer – two-minute clip which sees Stewart’s character arriving at the Sandringham Estate for Christmas to spend time with the royal family (watch the trailer above).
‘You have to be able to do things you hate,’ Prince Charles (Jack Farthing) tells Diana in one scene. ‘There has to be two of you. There's the real one, and the one they take pictures of, Diana, for the good of the country.’
In the clip Stewart is also seen wearing numerous now-famous replicas of ensembles worn by Diana including her wedding dress.
‘Here, in this house, there is no future,’ Diana says to her sons. ‘Past and the present are the same thing.’
On August 25 the US film production and distribution company Neon released a poster on Twitter from the film, which sees Stewart dressed in a strapless embellished wedding like dress and sobbing on the floor.
'Every fairy tale ends,' reads the post's caption along with the film's release date.
Twitter users soon suggested the actor might be in the running for an Oscar next year.
'I just saw the teaser trailer for #Spencer & a 5 minute clip from the film. Based on the footage, it looks like Kristen Stewart will be getting an Oscar nomination for her performance as Diana. I’m feeling very confident that this is going to be #KristenStewart’s big moment, [sic]' commented one user.
Another added: 'This poster looks like it’s about to win kristen stewart a lot of oscars. [sic]'
When is Spencer's release date?
Ahead of the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, Spencer is scheduled for release in the UK on November 5 2021, according to Variety. The late princess passed away in 1997 in a car crash and next year marks quarter of a century since her death.
We will update this article as more information is released.
