'She was like a bulldozer' - Princess Diana film planned

Expect to see Princess Diana on the big screen soon. Photo / NZ Herald

Princess Diana's life is set to be made into a movie.

Film producer Stephen Evans is lining up a Hollywood actress to play the late British royal - who tragically died in a car crash in August 1997 - in a film that will be based on her bodyguard Ken Wharfe's memoirs from his book Diana: Closely Guarded Secret.

He told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "We are dealing with about 11 years of her life from just after she had Harry, when he's aged about two, and it's partly from the point of view of her protection bodyguard.

"The emphasis on this really is authenticity and to discover what she went through. Unless you are a Diana freak, quite a lot of it will be unknown to the audience.

"The movie's not saying she is unbelievably wonderful or she's a pain in the neck. The audience can make their own view.

"I think she had some marvellous qualities, absolutely phenomenal qualities and tremendous charisma. She was also very good at one-liners ... very witty, sharp.

"Intellectually, she was not in the top level but on the other hand had native cunning, stubbornness. Once she made up her mind she was like a bulldozer.

"She could be a pain, she was lethal. She utilised friendships and dumped friendships."

Stephen is hoping his movie will follow in the successful footsteps of The Iron Lady - which sees Meryl Streep play former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - but he admits the political film "isn't great".

He added: "The performance of Meryl Streep is the greatest I have ever seen.

"The movie itself isn't great, but you do believe you are watching Margaret Thatcher. It's a tour de force."

Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson have been linked to a Pathé film called Diana, while Jessica Chastain is set to star in another movie about the royal entitled Caught in Flight, which will be based on a real-life affair Diana tried to keep hidden.

- BANG! Showbiz