Joaquin Phoenix set to play Napoleon Bonaparte in Kitbag for director Ridley Scott
With Ridley Scott wrapping production on The Last Duel on Wednesday, the filmmaker has set up another project with Joaquin Phoenix.
Phoenix and Scott have signed on to Kitbag for 20th Century Fox, where Scott has an overall deal, according to Deadline.
Phoenix will portray iconic French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte, which is slated to go into production next year.
New project: With Ridley Scott wrapping production on The Last Duel on Wednesday, the filmmaker has set up another project with Joaquin Phoenix
Director: Phoenix and Scott have signed on to Kitbag for 20th Century Fox, where Scott has an overall deal, according to Deadline
The title Kitbag is derived from the old military saying, ‘There is a general’s staff hidden in every soldier’s kitbag.’
The project is described as, ‘an original and personal look at Napoleon’s origins and his swift, ruthless climb to emperor, viewed through the prism of his addictive and often volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine.’
The film will showcase some of Napoleon’s most iconic battles and showcase how his strategic mind works along with his ambitious and relentless tactics.
General: The title Kitbag is derived from the old military saying, ‘There is a general’s staff hidden in every soldier’s kitbag’
Scott will direct from a screenplay by David Scarpa, who wrote Scott’s 2017 film All the Money in the World.
Scott will also produce through his Scott Free Productions banner, alongside Kevin Walsh.
The director just wrapped filming on The Last Duel, which had started filming in February but was put on pause due to the pandemic.
Production: The director just wrapped filming on The Last Duel, which had started filming in February but was put on pause due to the pandemic
With The Last Duel wrapped, Scott will next move on to Gucci, which starts filming in Italy this coming March.
Lady Gaga is attached to star as Patrizia Reggiani, who murdered Gucci head Maurizio Gucci, alongside Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Adam Driver and Jared Leto.
The filmmaker is expected to move on to Kitbag after he wraps filming on Gucci next year, though no specific production start date was released.
Busy director: With The Last Duel wrapped, Scott will next move on to Gucci, which starts filming in Italy this coming March
Phoenix is coming off his Oscar-winning portrayal of Arthur Fleck in the critically-acclaimed Joker.
He will next be seen in writer-director Mike Mills’ (Beginners) C’Mon C’Mon, starring alongside Gaby Hoffman and Jaboukie Young-White.
He is also attached to return as Arthur Fleck in a sequel to Joker, though it isn’t clear when that will go into production.
Oscar winner: Phoenix is coming off his Oscar-winning portrayal of Arthur Fleck in the critically-acclaimed Joker
Coming soon: He will next be seen in writer-director Mike Mills’ (Beginners) C’Mon C’Mon, starring alongside Gaby Hoffman and Jaboukie Young-White