Apple signs order for 'Kitbag' Napoleon Bonaparte epic starring Joaquin Phoenix

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An upcoming Apple TV+ feature will take an intimate look at French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his ambitions for conquering the world.




Apple has acquired the rights to "Kitbag," a Napoleon Bonaparte film that will be directed by Ridley Scott, known for projects such as "Alien" and "Blade Runner."

"Napoleon is a man I've always been fascinated by," Scott told Deadline. "He came out of nowhere to rule everything -- but all the while he was waging a romantic war with his adulterous wife Josephine. He conquered the world to try to win her love, and when he couldn't, he conquered it to destroy her, and destroyed himself in the process."

Oscar-winning "Joker" star Joaquin Phoenix will star as French emperor and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte.

"No actor could ever embody Napoleon like Joaquin," Scott said. "He created one of movie history's most complex Emperors in Gladiator, and we'll create another with his Napoleon. It's a brilliant script written by David Scarpa, and today there's no better partner than Apple to bring a story like this to a global audience."

Scarpa, who wrote the screenplay, has partnered with Scott on the crime thriller "All the Money in the World."

The film is set to start production in early 2022 and will take place in the United Kingdom. Kevin Walsh will serve as producer for Scott's production company, Scott Free.

"Kitbag" will join Apple's growing slate of movies and shows, including the Tom Hanks World War II drama, "Greyhound", and upcoming drama "Palmer" starring Justin Timberlake.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    AI_liasAI_lias Posts: 434member
    Excellent. Look forward to it!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 6
    cg27cg27 Posts: 213member
    This should be very interesting.  

    Wish Kubrick would have been able to see his Napoleon film through after spending years on elaborate research.  He ended up making Barry Lyndon instead, which was excellent, but perhaps not as commercial/interesting as Napoleon.  I’ll bet Scott and Scarpa are keenly aware of what Kubrick had in mind and will capitalize on it, unbeknownst to most.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 6
    I heard Oprah is doing a cameo.  
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 6
    cg27cg27 Posts: 213member
    I heard Oprah is doing a cameo.  
    😂
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 6
    An untapped and epic topic.  Oscar nominated (winning?) star and director.  This could be amazing.
    edited January 2021 watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 6
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,167member
    Hasn’t  this already been done as a five series TV show staring Sean Bean?
    (spoiler, it isn’t clear if Sean Bean dies in the end, but Boney was definitely on the run.

    also Joaquin might be too tall.
    edited January 2021
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