Kevin Costner’s ‘Ugly’ Feud With the Palace About Princess Diana, ‘The Bodyguard 2,’ and Which Royal He Turned to for Help

Kevin Costner had a significant but little-known connection with Princess Diana, as they were in talks about her starring in The Bodyguard 2, a sequel to his 1992 hit film. According to Costner, Princess Diana had agreed to the role before her tragic death in 1997. The project was intended to parallel her real-life struggles, particularly her fraught relationship with the paparazzi.

However, after Diana’s death, the royal family reportedly grew upset over the revelation that she had been considering a Hollywood film. They denied the claims, which led to a feud between Costner and the palace. The situation became “ugly,” with the royals challenging Costner’s account. In response, Costner sought advice from Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, who had initially connected him with Diana. Ferguson advised him not to confront the palace, but Costner chose to defend the truth, ultimately speaking directly to them to clear the air.

After Diana’s passing, Costner decided to scrap the film project, feeling that no one could replace her.