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Diana film 'Spencer' shuts out UK passport holders from Prince William role due to Brexit

Diana Princess Of Wales, Prince William & Prince Harry Visit The 'Thorpe Park' Amusement Park. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)
Diana Princess Of Wales, Prince William & Prince Harry Visit The 'Thorpe Park' Amusement Park. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)

Young actors who hold a UK passport will not be able to play Prince William in the upcoming Princess Diana movie Spencer, due to new rules coming into force as a result of Brexit.

The movie, which will feature Kristen Stewart as Diana, is set to film in Germany during the first quarter of 2021 under the stewardship of Chilean director Pablo Larraín.

Casting director Amy Hubbard shared a casting call on Twitter, seeking someone to play the Duke of Cambridge at the age of 11.

The notice said that applicants “must have a European passport”, adding that UK passports are excluded due to “new Brexit rules” which come into force when Britain officially leaves the European Union at midnight on 1 January.

Read more: Olivia Colman on meeting Prince William

In a subsequent tweet, Hubbard clarified the rules, saying: “It's common on films that the passport for significant characters needs to match that of the financiers.”

Spencer is set to focus on a brief period in the life of the People’s Princess, around her split from Prince Charles after 15 years of marriage.

Stewart recently said she feels “protective” of Diana, despite the fact she was just seven years old when the royal died in August 1997.

Read more: The Crown’s Emma Corrin discusses portraying Diana’s bulimia

The actor added: “My movie takes place over three days, and it's this really poetic internal imagining of what that might have felt like rather than giving new information."

"We kind of don't have a mark to hit. We just also love her."

Watch: Reaction to Kristen Stewart playing Diana

The script for Spencer has been penned by Steven Knight, who created Peaky Blinders.

Knight’s concept for a non-traditional biopic seems reminiscent of Larraín’s earlier movie Jackie, focusing on Jackie Kennedy — as played by an Oscar-nominated Natalie Portman.

Read more: Is this the best series of The Crown?

Diana was previously tackled on the big screen in a 2013 film by director Oliver Hirschbiegel, in which Naomi Watts played the princess and received an array of negative reviews.

Glossy Netflix drama The Crown has also introduced Diana in its recent fourth series, with Misbehaviour actor Emma Corrin stepping into her iconic shoes.

Spencer currently does not have a confirmed release date.

Watch: Diana fans flood social media after The Crown debut