Featured Image Credit: Sony
Topics: Film and TV, Joaquin Phoenix
Gregory Robinson
The first trailer for Ridley Scott's film about Napoleon Bonaparte starring Joaquin Phoenix has just arrived.
The film, which will be released later this year, depicts the French leader’s rise to powers as well as his relationship with Empress Joséphine.
The Joker star will play the titular character while Vanessa Kirby portrays Empress Joséphine. The cast also includes Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Ludivine Sagnier, Matthew Needham, Youssef Kerkour, Phil Cornwell and Edouard Philipponnat.
Judging by the trailer, which is filled with epic battle scenes, the film will be a huge event. Check it out:
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The upcoming historical epic drama was directed and produced by the BAFTA-winning director known for his work on Alien and Blade Runner to name a few.
Scott has reunited with screenwriter David Scarpa, who wrote the film's screenplay. Scott also serves as a producer along with Mark Huffam and Kevin J. Walsh; co-producers Winston Azzopardi, Raymond Kirk and Janine Modder and executive producer Aidan Elliott.
Napoleon also serves as a reunion for Phoenix and Scott who previously worked together on the historical epic Gladiator.
The 2000 action-adventure film starring Russell Crowe was a huge success upon its release and won numerous awards, including five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
According to the film’s official longline: “According to the longline, Napoleon is an original and personal look at Napoleon’s origins and his swift, ruthless climb to emperor, viewed through the prism of his addictive and often volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Joséphine.
“The film captures Napoleon’s famous battles, relentless ambition and astounding strategic mind as an extraordinary military leader and war visionary.”
Filming began in February 2022 in England, at locations including Lincoln, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex and other locales.
Napoleon arrives after Phoenix’s otherworldly portrayal of The Joker in the 2019 psychological thriller about the DC Comics villain.
The actor is set to reprise his role as the terrifying clown in the hotly anticipated sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux alongside Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.
Napoleon was produced by Apple and will premiere exclusively in theatres over the Thanksgiving weekend this year, on Nov. 22. Apple TV+ customers will be able to stream it at a later date.