Director Ridley Scott latest blockbuster follows the story of 1700s French military commander Napoleon – and the film is full of stars and Oscars buzz.
Reports say that Sir Ridley will be submitted for Best Director – at 85 years old, he's yet to win the accolade – along with Joaquin Phoenix for Best Actor and Vanessa Kirby as Best Supporting Actress. She was nominated back in 2020 for Pieces Of A Woman – maybe this season is her time.
Here's everything we know so far about the upcoming film.
What is Napoleon about?As suggested in the title, it follows the story of one of history's most infamous military commanders, but told partially through the eyes of his wife Josephine.
The film's plot synopsis reads: “A look at the military commander'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, Josephine.”
That said, reports say that Phoenix's performance as Napoleon was so powerful that director Ridley Scott rewrote the script to adjust for his talents. So it will be interesting to see how the dynamic between husband and wife translates to screen, as well as who ends up being the true protagonist – Kirby or Phoenix.
Who else is in the cast of Napoleon?Joining leads Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby are Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding) and Tahar Rahim (The Mauritanian), who are also being submitted for Oscar nomination consideration. Lupin actor Ludivine Sagnier and House of Gucci's Catherine Walker will also star.
Vanessa opened up to IndieWire about the “forensic research” she brought to her role of Josephine, and the similarities between preparing for it and her role in The Crown. “It’s been really amazing to absorb,” she said.
“For something like a film about Josephine, it’s reminding me of my process for The Crown where you have to play someone real and there’s this amount of forensic research you have to do, to collate all these different impressions that have been recorded of them, the real person, and bring it into one being for this version of this person onscreen.”
Ridley Scott also expanded on his decision to adapt the script around Joaquin's acting, and how it made the film “bigger and better”. “With Napoleon, I think we dug in and found the character, or as close to what he may have been,” he said. “With Joaquin, we can rewrite the goddamn film because he’s uncomfortable. And that kind of happened with Napoleon.
"We unpicked the film to help him focus on who Bonaparte was. I had to respect that, because what was being said was incredibly constructive. It made it all grow bigger and better.”
When and where is Napoleon available to watch?It will be available to watch in UK cinemas from 22 November.
Is there a trailer for Napoleon?There is indeed – it goes heavy on the seduction, with some steamy scenes between Vanessa and Joaquin as husband and wife. She even says to him: “You want to be great, but you're nothing without me. Say it.” Vibes.
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