"Following a huge victory for Best Actor at this year’s 92nd Academy Awards and the birth of his first child, Joaquin Pheonix is riding a wave of momentum into his next big role. As first reported by Deadline, the multi-faceted actor will reteam with his Gladiator director Ridley Scott in a new feature titled Kitbag. Pheonix will portray French military leader and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte...."
"“Kitbag” follows the rise of Napoleon and his demise from a deeply personal level, as we are also shown his long-lasting marriage to his one true love, Josephine. No other cast members are known at this time, but judging by the fact that Ridley Scott is directing and Joaquin Phoenix is headlining, this is going to be yet another major blockbuster that a ton of A-listers will want to be a part of...."
https://theplaylist.net/joaquin-phoenix-ridley-scott-kitbag-napoleon-20201014/
I remember the days in 1998 when we re enacted the French invasion - bicentenial on Malta. They will have to cope with the heat.
"In a recent Vogue article, it was reported that Fort Ricasoli will be transformed into Toulon, the site of Napoleon's first victory in 1793."
L'empereur d'Autriche parle trés bien la langue français,. Comme un vrai français, vraiment.
Yes, and how was Josphine's lover again called? There it seems to be a love story? Berthier is missing as well.
I thought it odd they don't list Murat in the cast, you'd think he'd be more relevant to the story than Davout.
IMDB now lists more of the cast (including Ney and Davout) as the production is underway
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13287846/
" ‘He conquered the world to try to win her love, and when he couldn’t, he conquered it to destroy her. And he destroyed himself in the process’"
Ridley Scott. So, there we are.
The Infernal Machine
This sort of indicates that the title has changed again, to "Marengo" this time, but I'm familiar with studios using fake names for films when filming.
I think a version of the "Spielberg concept" is coming as a miniseries.
BTW, Joaquin Phoenix looks way too old to play Napoleon of the Italian Campaign.
Scott added, "What is it about Napoleon that makes him fascinating? Very simply this: a man who was one of the most powerful men in history, yet is so reliant on a woman."???
Costume Fitting
Joaquin Phoenix Dons Napoleon Costume on Set of Ridley Scott Movie | PEOPLE.com
Looks like Lincoln Cathedral will be standing in for Notre Dame
Not surprised at research. I'd read the book which was the basis of Scott's recent movie 'The Last Duel" and that was excellently done though it did not do as well as it might and should have at the box office. I can't quite imagine the space in viewing time that Napoleon might take and how the film will be cut to keep the story together. I hope it will be much better in that respect than the 50's 'Desiree' which jumped from decade to decade with little continuity while Marlon Brandon mumbled.
Nice to hear the production is still ongoing. Once finished it will be interesting to see who's character portrayal adds or detracts from the historical record and if they all blend together.
More casting news, this time Barras.
Tahar "Rahim will play Paul Barras, the powerful Commissioner of the Revolutionary Army."
The problem seems to be Phoenix is too old to play a young Bonaparte (he's only 5 years or so away from the age Napoleon died) and this Josephine is significantly younger then him, the reverse of the historical Josephine.
Movie moving ahead...
Jodie Comer Is Ridley Scott’s Choice To Play Josephine
No other actors are attached. Scott also has other projects in development, so there no saying when this will be in production, but the fact that he has a star signed up probably means this will go to the head of his projects. IMDB has only one rumored project ( Joker 2) listed for Phoenix.
Who will act as Josephine?
So it is one actor who plays the juvenile skinny Buonaparte and the bloated Napoleon.