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MOVIE
Ridley Scott Takes Audiences onto the Battlefield in 'Napoleon' Sneak Peek
From everything we’ve gathered so far about Ridley Scott’s upcoming historical epic, Napoleon, it will be exactly that - epic. Boasting a cast led by Academy Award-winner Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) in the titular role as the French Emperor with Academy Award-nominee Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman) by his side as Empress Joséphine, the filmmaker’s latest project is quickly becoming larger-than-life. On top of what is certain to be some of the best performances we’ve seen all year, teasers have revealed action-packed battle sequences that will give everything we’ve seen before a run for its money. In a special featurette, Scott, along with historian Dan Snow breaks down some of what the film has in store during these brutal and blood-soaked skirmishes.
For those of us who always questioned the point of math beyond an educational setting, perhaps we should’ve paid more attention as Scott reveals that catching these pulse-pounding sequences is all about “geometry.” The filmmaker says that with the work of eight or 11 cameras, an entire battle scene can be filmed with plenty of preparation, so the actors know exactly where they’ll end up. While the featurette shows plenty of fun behind-the-scenes peeks at the folks behind the cameras, Scott says that he typically dresses them in uniform just in case one slips into a shot. In Napoleon, Phoenix stars as the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, a man who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. Known for his expertise on the battlefield, the skilled General won conflict after conflict, making him a revered name around the world.
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Along with the impeccably shot battle scenes, the film will also focus on Bonaparte’s personal life, specifically the toxic love shared with his first wife, Joséphine (Kirby). Known for bringing audiences some of the biggest battle scenes of the last few decades, Scott has been behind such features as Black Hawk Down, The Last Duel, Kingdom of Heaven, and Gladiator, the latter of which makes Napoleon a reunion for the director and his leading star. Check out the exciting featurette below and catch Napoleon when it rides into theaters and IMAX on November 22.