Mirren to play Queen Elizabeth II

British acting legend Helen Mirren will play Queen Elizabeth II in a new movie about the aftermath of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

High Fidelity movie maker Stephen Frears will direct the film $9m (€7.5m) and Michael Sheen will play Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Frears says of Mirren's casting: "She will be great."

Producer Christine Langan says: No one will be cast as Diana," adding that the film will focus on how Diana's death in 1997 affected "The Queen, Britain and the people".

She continues: "It looks at a moment in British history that was phenomenal. It is a snapshot of the country. It joins the dots of what went on that week."