According to a new report, the royal couple has already begun meeting with agents, producers, and even casting directors, with the Duchess of Sussex allegedly positioning herself for a directorial role.
This comes after it was confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to produce a movie adaptation of Jasmine Guillory’s thriller “The Wedding Date” with Netflix.
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The U.S.-Based Royal Plan To Make A Diana Movie, Sources Claim
According to sources who spoke to Rob Shuter’s #Shuterscoop, Harry and Meghan are actively developing a Diana movie for streaming giant Netflix.
“They’ve been meeting with writers, agents and producers, breaking story and talking casting,” one insider noted. “Meghan is intensely hands-on and wants control from start to finish.”
Despite the Sussexes’ previous projects struggling to perform on the platform, Netflix is said to be playing the long game with the royal couple.
“Their earlier shows underperformed, but a Diana project changes everything,” a second source shared.
Netflix reportedly believes the movie has blockbuster potential and has the depth and emotion to compete with Harry and Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.
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“This could be the crown jewel,” an executive source claimed. “It’s the one project that could make the entire deal worth it.”
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The Sussexes Are Working On A Wedding-Centered Film For The Streaming Service
According to Deadline, Harry and Meghan are also set to produce a film adaptation of “The Wedding Date” for Netflix.
The romance novel is the first in a 6-book series from New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory, and was published in 2018.
It follows the fun and flirty story of Alexa Monroe and Drew Nichols, two professionals who meet while stuck in an elevator. By chance, Alexa agrees to be Drew’s fake date at his ex-girlfriend’s wedding, leading to a complicated and steamy relationship with him.
The project would see the couple serve as executive producers via their Archewell Productions arm, alongside film producer Tracy Ryerson, who also worked on the 2023 movie “The Senior.”
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To guarantee a hit, Harry and Meghan have also tapped famous screenwriter Tracy Oliver for the script, who worked on the 2017 comedy movie “Girls Trip.”
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Prince Harry And Meghan’s Other Projects Haven’t Lived Up To Expectations
It comes after Harry and Meghan signed their new watered-down first look deal with Netflix in August.
They had a deal reportedly worth around $100 million, but reports suggest that the contract will not be renewed when it ends this year.
They have produced other projects for the streaming giant, including “Polo,” “Heart of Invictus,” “Harry & Meghan,” and “Live to Lead.”
However, some of their recent efforts have not lived up to expectations, including the second season of Meghan’s “With Love, Meghan,” which failed to enter Netflix’s coveted top 10 shows.
The former “Suits” actress also premiered “With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration” on December 3, but that failed to make it into the list.
“The Wedding Date” is not the only romance on their slate. Their production company is reportedly developing an adaptation of Carley Fortune’s “Meet Me at the Lake.”
It’s likely their partnership with Netflix would continue, at least for the foreseeable future, as a source told Page Six in July that “there are more TV projects coming soon with both the duke and duchess.”
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The Royal Couple Is No Longer Popular In Hollywood, Experts Claim
Hollywood experts feel Harry and Meghan’s celebrity power has gradually declined five years after they relocated to the U.S.
Since they moved, they have made headlines for the countless controversies they’ve been involved in, including their standoff with the royal family following their sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, and Harry’s bombshell memoir “Spare.”
A source told People Magazine that they’re still learning how to deal with backlash that comes with being a public figure, with the insider adding that Meghan brushes off criticisms as “just noise,” while Harry takes it personally and remains protective of his wife.
“Their star power is fading,” Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” told Fox News Digital.
“That will frustrate them because they’ve experienced the dopamine hit of adoration. Their confidence in leaving the royal family was rooted in their perceived popularity. They’ll keep putting themselves out there because they need to make money, but Meghan’s commercial ambitions conflict with Harry’s desire to rebuild royal bridges,” she continued.
“As long as she uses her title for business, the royal family will keep their distance,” Schofield warned. “And as long as the family keeps that distance, Harry’s popularity will continue to suffer.”
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Meghan Markle Was Accused Of ‘Being Disingenuous’
Schofield added that Meghan is “being disingenuous” in claiming that the backlash doesn’t get to her.
She has constantly been on the receiving end of criticism, ranging from her refusal to mend strained ties with her dying father, Thomas Markle, to a couple of her entrepreneurship ventures.
“She often subtly addresses specific criticisms in interviews,” Schofield said. “She absolutely sees it. Meghan is the one more eager to respond to every rumor or negative story. She made that clear during the Oprah interview.”
“Harry is the opposite,” she continued. “He was raised with the mantra ‘never complain, never explain.’ The real difference is that Meghan doesn’t actively seek out negative feedback, while Harry can’t help himself. He reads it, looks for it, and it hurts him. One reason they campaign against social media is because of what they read about themselves there.”