The legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick has inspired many with his incredible work in the world of cinema. Ridley Scott, who recently returned with the historical drama Napoleon, has acknowledged that Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey had a significant influence on his Oscar-winning film, Alien. Interestingly, the late filmmaker also aspired to make a movie following the French leader.
In a recent interview with Deadline, Scott discussed the inspiration behind his venture into depicting Napoleon Bonaparte on screen and addressed any potential connections between his film and Kubrick’s vision for bringing the French leader’s story to life on screen.
Stanley Kubrick Aspired to Bring Napoleon Bonaparte’s Story On-Screen
Known for his mind-bending storytelling and visual brilliance, Stanley Kubrick has given several masterpieces to the world of cinema. However, the filmmaker was unable to complete one project that would later be known as his greatest movie that was never made.
After 2001: A Space Odyssey, he wanted to make a film about the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte. The filmmaker spent plenty of time researching about him through multiple sources, including books and movies. He wanted to make a “genocide” movie and was even planning to hire the armed forces of an entire country for his movie to keep its aesthetic.
Kubrick even went on to cast Jack Nicholson in the lead role. The movie was all set to get in production before the studio canceled it. Several reasons have been given for its cancelation, from projected cost, change of ownership at the studio, and the poor reception to the 1970 film Waterloo, which was also based on Napoleon’s life.
Years later, Taschen published a book titled Stanley Kubrick’s Napoleon: The Greatest Movie Never Made in 2011, which included his research, vision, and ideas for his canceled movie. In 2013, reports (via Variety) claimed that Steven Spielberg was looking forward to adapting Stanley Kubrick’s screenplay into a miniseries.
The project has been in the works at HBO for the last ten years and is believed to be in the development stages. However, earlier this year, Spielberg shared that he is “mounting a big production” for the project, which is expected to be a seven-part series at HBO.
What Inspired Ridley Scott’s Napoleon?
When asked during his recent interview how he pulled off making a movie about the French leader, Ridley Scott shared that his movie has nothing to do with Stanley Kubrick’s canceled project. He shared that he has always admired the French way of life.
He also shared that he was 18 when he first visited the country and has spent several summers there. He loved it so much that he even established an office in Paris when he started venturing as a successful commercial director.
The Alien director shared that he slowly got interested in French history and started exploring it. He also stated that his first film, The Duellists, was also about Napoleon Bonaparte and has also filmed his 2021 film The Last Duel in France. Over time, he also got interested in the “greatest Frenchmen” and decided to make a movie about him.
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon follows the French leader’s rise to power and his volatile relationship with his wife. While the film has received mixed reviews from critics, the movie has made a solid entry at the box office and has grossed $80 million so far.
Napoleon is playing in theatres now.
