Kristen Stewart has spoken about how her role as Princess Diana in the biopic Spencer continues to have a lasting impact on her, even five years after the film’s release.
Pablo Larraín cast Stewart in the role of the iconic royal, a decision she initially found ‘insane,’ even suggesting to him that he consider other actresses for the part.
However, Larraín’s decision to cast the Twilight star proved successful, as the film earned widespread critical acclaim and garnered Stewart an Oscar nomination.
Reflecting on her initial conversation with the director, Stewart revealed in a recent interview with The Telegraph: “I told Pablo he was insane and he should probably hire someone else, but he refused to accept that.”
“There were some massive distinctions between her and me. It was the statuesque thing. It was the eye colour – I have green eyes; she has very famously blue eyes that match her ring,” she continued.
After landing the role, Stewart admitted she felt ‘haunted’ by Princess Diana — a sentiment that remains.
“I can’t drive round this city [London], and Paris for that matter, without thinking about her. All the love that poured out of this woman… I can cry about her at any moment,” she revealed.
As for why Larraín insisted on Stewart for the role despite her reservations, he believed there was ‘a little bit of overlap in terms of our experience’ and was drawn to Stewart’s ‘energy.’
Stewart likened Princess Diana’s experience to being ‘plucked to death [by paparazzi],’ a feeling she somewhat understands, having become globally famous as a teenager following the success of Twilight.
This interview with the news outlet comes as Stewart prepares for the release of her new film The Chronology of Water, marking her debut as a director.
The movie, already available in the US and premiering in the UK today (February 6), was shot in Latvia, as Stewart explained that filming in America would have been ‘impossible.’
Stay tuned for further updates.