UPDATE: Today, screenwriter Matthew Wilder celebrated the news of a ‘Napoleon’ launch in November by writing on his instagram that Scott’s film is “one of the best films I’ve seen in years”.
EARLIER: Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” is coming for awards season. The above image is the first official one released for the upcoming film.
It was also announced today that the historical epic will open exclusively in theaters on November 22, before streaming globally, maybe in early 2024, on Apple TV.
“Napoleon” has also been “Rated R” for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and brief language. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s a bloody and gruelling epic that has an incredible performance from Joaquin Phoenix.
The film has already been test-screened twice — I posted three reactions so far, masterpiece, masterpiece and mixed.
A Variety piece from a month or so ago indicated that Apple was thinking of bringing this one to Cannes, but they finally decided not to, they already have Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” headed there.
The film stars Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby. It is said to be around 150 minutes in length and tackles Napoleon Bonaparte’s world-conquering theatrics, not to mention his frosty relationship with wife Joséphine.
In February, an Empire interview with Scott had the filmmaker looking back on the filming of “Napoleon” and his time with star Phoenix. Scott admitted to changing some of the script during filming because of Phoenix’s unconventional approach to acting.
Born in August 1769, Napoleon’s career peaked between the early 1790s and 1810, give or take. His rise-to-power happened in his mid 20s — he was crowned Emperor of France in 1804, at age 35. Napoleon died in exile on the island of Saint Helena in May 1821 at the age of 51.
Edward Berger seems to have settled on what comes next. His Lance Armstrong biopic, starring Austin Butler, is now holding casting calls, with production eyed for January.