Joaquin Phoenix is all set to get back on the Oscar train with this year’s historical epic Napolean. Ridley Scott directs the film and will see the actor-director duo collaborate on a film after the epic sword-and-sandals Best Picture winner Gladiator.
The actor will be seen playing the controversial French general in the film. Ridley Scott recently came under fire for many historical inaccuracies in the film, which were pointed out in the film’s trailer. However, the Alien director refused to give any attention to the critics and asked them to get a life.
Joaquin Phoenix’s Portrayal Of Napolean In Ridley Scott’s Biopic
Ridley Scott was reportedly interested in a Napolean biopic for a long time and had even read the script developed by Stanley Kubrick on the legendary French general. However, Scott was reportedly underwhelmed by Kubrick’s treatment as it covered the general from his birth to his death.
Scott collaborated with screenwriter David Scarpa for Napolean and announced the film right after he wrapped filming his previous period drama The Last Duel. The film would explore Napolean Bonaparte’s rise to power as well as his complex relationship with Empress Josephine. Joaquin Phoenix was cast in the titular role, reuniting with Scott after his breakthrough role in Gladiator.
Scott and Phoenix reportedly found the character after the latter was stuck agonizing over how to play the controversial figure. The two spent many days trying to discover the character ten days before filming and then finally found their answer. Scott told the New Yorker,
“We found that he’s a split personality. He is deeply vulnerable, and while doing his job he’s able to hide that under a marvelous front. His forceful personality was part of his theatre.”
The film also stars Vanessa Kirby as Josephine and Tahar Rahim as Paul Barras. It is backed by Apple Studios along with Sony Pictures.
Historical Inaccuracies On Ridley Scott’s Napolean
Ridley Scott recently came under fire for the historical inaccuracies in Napolean. After the release of the trailer, noted TV historian Dan Snow spoke out about the various inaccuracies shown in the trailer in a viral TikTok post. The historian pointed out the scene where Joaquin Phoenix’s Napolean shoots at the pyramids at the Battle of the Pyramids, and the hairstyle of Queen Marie Antoinette.
Ridley Scott merely responded to the critics with “Get a Life”, which drew a lot of flack on the internet. The director is known for not mincing his words and had previously criticized the present generation for not accepting his previous film The Last Duel.
While the team had put a lot of effort into making sure that the film was historically accurate, Joaquin Phoenix stated to Empire,
“If you want to really understand Napoleon, then you should probably do your own studying and reading. Because if you see this film, it’s this experience told through Ridley’s eyes.”
With such a high-profile performance touted to be released at the end of the year, Joaquin Phoenix is bound to get an Oscar nomination. However, Ridley Scott’s disregard for history might affect that prospect for the actor.
