First look of Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' shows Joaquin Phoenix leading French army into fierce battle

Vanessa Kirby, star of 'Pieces of a Woman' will play Napoleon's wife Joséphine in the historical drama
PUBLISHED APR 4, 2023
Joaquin Phoenix in 'Napoleon' (Apple Studios, Scott Free Productions)
Joaquin Phoenix in 'Napoleon' (Apple Studios, Scott Free Productions)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Napoleon', directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa, stars Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role and narrates the French emperor's rise to power. The film is scheduled to be released on Apple TV+ after completing its theatrical run on November 22.

The first look for the movie has been released and Phoenix looks phenomenal as Napolean. The image shows Joaquin leading his men in a fierce charge on the battlefield. This movie is the second awards-season film from Apple set for an aspiring theatrical run after the Cannes-premiering Martin Scorsese film 'Killers of the Flower Moon' was set for a late October release.

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The French Revolution

Joaquin Phoenix playing 'Napoleon' in Ridley Scott's movie about the French Emperor (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/Wikipedia)
Joaquin Phoenix playing 'Napoleon' in Ridley Scott's movie about the French Emperor (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/Wikipedia)

'Napoleon' was originally titled 'Kitbag' but later was named after the French emperor. Widely considered one of the greatest military generals in history, Napolean was the first emperor of modern France. According to Screenrant, the movie is expected to be set towards the end of the French Revolution, and will cover Joséphine and Napoleon's courtship and marriage, lasting from 1795 to 1810. The film will not only focus on the Napoleonic wars but also focus on his life with Joséphine de Beauharnais, his first wife and the first Empress of France. Scott's directorial skills coupled with Phoenix' sensational acting are expected to push the film into the Academy Award race. 

A star-studded cast

The film consists of many well-known artists that will surely bring justice to the characters they will play. Vanessa Kirby, who starred in 'Pieces of a Woman', will portray Napoleon's wife Joséphine and 'The Mauritanian' star Tahar Rahim will play Paul Barras, a politician during the French Revolution. The Crown's Ben Miles will play Caulaincourt, who was a close advisor to Napoleon, while 'Swimming Pool' star Ludivine Sagnier will play Theresa Cabarrus, a social figure during the French Revolution.

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