Kitbag: Ridley Scott’s biopic on Napoleon replaces its main actress

Actress Jodie Comer has left the cast of Kitbag, the upcoming biopic on Napoleon Bonaparte directed by Ridley Scott, who already has another performer in sight.

Over 20 years after playing a reimagined version of Commode in Gladiator, Joaquin phoenix will soon find Ridley scott to embody another crowned head who marked history: Napoleon Bonaparte. According to the filmmaker, this umpteenth biopic dedicated to the first emperor of the French, baptized Kitbag, will offer a more personal and intimate look at his military exploits and his rapid rise to his coronation, while focusing on his tempestuous and passionate relationship with his first wife Joséphine de Beauharnais.

Initially chosen to play the statesman’s wife, the actress Jodie comer (Killing Eve, Free Guy) therefore had to lend her talents again to the director after having played the first female role in the tragic The Last Duel, released in 2021. Even if the interpreter of the French Marguerite de Thibouville conquered a good part of the public and the critics, his age difference with Joaquin Phoenix did not go unnoticed at the time of the announcement. Josephine was six years the eldest of her husband – which was not really trivial in their relationship – while Jodie Comer is almost 20 years younger than the actor to whom she was to respond.

Jodie Comer, formidable in The Last Duel

But as reported The Hollywood Reporter, the 28-year-old British actress is no longer involved in the production. The official reason would be a scheduling conflict. Because of the resumption of the pandemic and the resulting changes in planning, Jodie Comer could no longer keep her commitments to Scott. The shooting of Kitbag is due to start in Europe in January 2022, when the actress is due to start rehearsals for the play Prima facie in March of the same year.

As stated Deadline, Scott would already have his eyes on another actress: Vanessa Kirby. At 33, the actress is slightly older than her predecessor and her age matches that of Josephine at the time of her marriage. On the other hand, Joaquin Phoenix remains in comparison too old for the role of Napoleon, died at 51 years old while the actor is already 47.

Vanessa Kirby, overwhelming in Pieces of a Woman

Despite this factual discrepancy, which is still difficult to understand, the actress currently in the midst of negotiations has already proven her ease in front of the camera with her roles in Pieces of a Woman (which also earned him an Oscar nomination), Shadow of Stalin, Impossible mission or the historical series The Crown. Nothing is confirmed yet, but this role would be another good springboard for his rising career.

No release date has been announced yet, but Kitbag should land on Apple TV + in 2023.