The first trailer for “Spencer” has been released by Neon, giving a glimpse into Stewart’s much-anticipated version of Princess Diana. Penned by the “Locke” screenwriter and “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight, the biopic revolves around Princess Diana’s dilemma as to whether she should walk out of her marriage to Prince Charles.
The official synopsis reads: “December, 1991: The Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage has long since grown cold. Though rumours of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at Sandringham Estate. There’s eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. This year, things will be a whole lot different.”
Neon boasted a remarkable team behind its upcoming film. “Larraín’s creative team includes Director of Photography Claire Mathon (‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’), Costume Designer Jacqueline Durran (Academy award-winner for ‘Little Women’), Make Up and Hair Designer Wakana Yoshihara (‘Murder On The Orient Express’)and Guy Hendrix Dyas (Academy Award nominee for ‘Passengers’ and ‘Inception’) is the Production Designer. Composing the original score is Academy Award, BAFTA and Grammy Award nominee, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood (‘You Were Never Really Here,’ ‘Phantom Thread’).”
The director previously talked about casting Kristen Stewart in the much-coveted role. “Kristen is one of the great actors around today. To do this well, you need something very important in film, which is mystery,” Larraín said to Deadline.
“Kristen can be many things, and she can be very mysterious and very fragile an ultimately very strong as well, which is what we need. The combination of those elements made me think of her. The way she responded to the script and how she is approaching the character, it’s very beautiful to see. I think she’s going to do something stunning and intriguing at the same time. She is this force of nature.”
Stewart shared her struggle with mastering Diana’s accent in an earlier interview with InStyle. “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.”
The cast also includes Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall and Poldark villain Jack Farthing as Charles. “Spencer” is set to premiere at the Venice film festival next month.
“I think some people could misunderstand it,” Lorraine said about his film. “Before they go to see a movie like Spencer, they might say, ‘We’re going to really understand who this person was.’ No! Wrong number! Wrong movie! We don’t do that! We’re just trying to work with whatever that person was and create a fable out of it. That’s what I’m looking for. We’ll see if it works."
Watch the trailer for "Spencer" below: