From everything we’ve gathered so far aboutRidley Scott’s upcoming historical epic,Napoleon, it will be exactly that -epic. Boasting a cast led by Academy Award-winnerJoaquin Phoenix(Joker) in the titular role as the French Emperor with Academy Award-nomineeVanessa Kirby(Pieces of a Woman) by his side as Empress Joséphine, the filmmaker’s latest project is quickly becoming larger-than-life. On top of what is certain to be some of the best performances we’ve seen all year, teasers have revealed action-packed battle sequences that will give everything we’ve seen before a run for its money. In a special featurette, Scott, along with historianDan Snowbreaks down some of what the film has in store during these brutal and blood-soaked skirmishes.
For those of us who always questioned the point of math beyond an educational setting, perhaps we should’ve paid more attention as Scott reveals that catching thesepulse-pounding sequencesis all about “geometry.” The filmmaker says that with the work of eight or 11 cameras, an entirebattle scenecan be filmed with plenty of preparation, so the actors know exactly where they’ll end up. While the featurette shows plenty of fun behind-the-scenes peeks at the folks behind the cameras, Scott says that he typically dresses them in uniform just in case one slips into a shot.
InNapoleon,Phoenix stars as the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, a man who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. Known for his expertise on the battlefield, the skilled General won conflict after conflict, making him a revered name around the world. Along with the impeccably shot battle scenes, the film will alsofocus on Bonaparte’s personal life, specifically the toxic love shared withhis first wife, Joséphine (Kirby).
Who Else is inNapoleon?
Along with Kirby and Phoenix, thehistorical dramawill alsostar the likes ofBen Miles(Andor),Youssef Kerkour(House of Gucci),Rupert Everett(My Best Friend’s Wedding),Tahar Rahim(The Mauritanian),Matthew Needham(House of the Dragon),Paul Rhys(Chaplin),Ludivine Sagnier(Lupin),John Hollingworth(The Queen’s Gambit),Gavin Spokes(House of the Dragon),Phil Cornwell(Alan Partridge),Ian MacNeice(Rome),Edouard Philipponnat(House of Gucci), andMark Bonnar(Catastrophe).
Known for bringing audiences some of the biggest battle scenes of the last few decades, Scott has been behind such features asBlack Hawk Down,The Last Duel,Kingdom of Heaven, andGladiator, the latter of which makesNapoleona reunion for the director and his leading star.The last year has been filled with some terrific cinematography when it comes to war flicks including the high-flyingGlen PowellandJonathan Majors-ledDevotionand the award circuit sweeper,All Quiet on the Western Front. Keeping up with these incredible films will be a challenge, but Scott iscertainly up for the task.
Check out the exciting featurette below and catchNapoleonwhen it rides into theaters andIMAXon November 22.
Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar®-winner Joaquin Phoenix. Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.
