The two great minds of director Ridley Scott and Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix are infamously known for their exceptional creative coalescence. Having collaborated on many monumental projects before, their latest reunion on Scott’s upcoming war epic film Napoleon (formerly titled Kitbag) is evidently no different. Per a report from Empire, the director rewrote the script for the film to cater to the recommendations of his lead actor Phoenix, who is playing the notable historical figure, Napoleon Bonaparte.

Scott elaborated on how he and Phoenix worked together to further develop the script for Napoleon into a story that truly spoke to both of them. It involved a meticulous rewrite, as Phoenix is known not only as one of the most talented and unique method actors in the industry but also as a serious artist who is very selective of the films he joins and often brings a heavy flow of constructive input on any project he does. Whether it’s the sleeper hit The Village (2004) or his more recent, Oscar-winning blockbuster Joker (2019). This project was clearly no different.

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“Joaquin is about as far from conventional as you can get. Not deliberately, but out of intuition. That’s what makes him tick. If something bothers him, he’ll let you know…He made [Napoleon] special by constantly questioning…With Joaquin, we can rewrite the goddamn film because he’s uncomfortable. We unpicked the film to help him focus on who Bonaparte was. I had to respect that, because what was being said was incredibly constructive. It made it all grow bigger and better…I think we dug in and found the character, or as close to what he may have been. Joaquin is probably the most special, thoughtful actor I’ve ever worked with."

Scott and Phoenix’s Affinity for Historical Cinema

     Universal Pictures

While Napoleon is a grand reunion for Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix, it’s not the first historical epic they’ve created together. The first was Gladiator (2000), an enormous film in nearly every sense of the word, from its cast to its set pieces to the budget. Phoenix starred alongside Russell Crowe as Commodus, the bloodthirsty son of Emperor Marcus Aurelias, who usurps the throne of the Roman Empire after murdering his father. Debuting to lavish praise from critics and audiences alike, the action-filled epic was deemed one of the greatest historical films ever made, cementing Ridley Scott further as a landmark director and bringing mainstream attention to Joaquin Phoenix and his remarkable skills.

The film Napoleon, which will predictably focus on the conqueror’s rise to power and his tumultuous relationship with Empress Josephine, is slated for release next year on Apple+ as an Apple Original Film.