BACK IN THE SADDLE: Joaquin Phoenix puts principles aside and rides a horse for 'Napoleon' shoot
LOS ANGELES , CALIFORNIA: Joaquin Phoenix is known for being an ardent supporter of animal rights and has been vegan since he was three. However, while shooting Ridley Scott's upcoming movie, 'Napoleon', he was put in a tough spot. He had to ride horses in the historical drama.
In 2018, while shooting 'The Sisters Brothers', per the Daily Mail, the actor had to ride horses as it was a western. He said at that time, "I didn't really think about it until I was there and realised, 'Oh, it's a western and we're on horses a lot.' I felt bad about riding them. I had the feeling that they were like, 'I don't really want you on my back.'"
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Joaquin Phoenix's campaigns for animal rights
In 2020, Phoenix protested on the streets of London, urging people to embrace a vegan lifestyle. He joined the activist group Animal Equality and tied himself to Tower Bridge. Along with other protesters, he unfurled a large banner over the bridge which read, "Factory farming is destroying our planet. Go vegan."
"I think we have a personal responsibility to take action right now and one way that we can mitigate climate change is by adjusting our consumption and by going plant-based," Phoenix said at that time. He added, "I feel sometimes like its not being talked about enough. So I'm just encouraging people to learn more about eating plant-based and to make a difference to make whatever personal impact they can on the climate emergency."
What is Joaquin Phoenix's 'Napoleon' about?
'Napoleon' is a historical drama directed by Ridley Scott and produced by Apple Studios. Joaquin Phoenix plays Napoleon Bonaparte and Vanessa Kirby plays Josephine de Beauharnais. Along with them, Tahar Rahim will play Paul Barras, Ben Miles as Caulaincourt and Ludivine Sagnier as Theresa Cabarrus.
The official synopsis reads, "A personal look at the French military leader’s origins and swift, ruthless climb to emperor. The story is viewed through the prism of Napoleon’s addictive, volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine."