Following the confirmation of Jodie Comer’s exit from Kitbag, it looks like Ridley Scott has already found the right actress to take over the female lead opposite Joaquin Phoenix. Deadline brings word that Oscar nominee Vanessa Kirby is currently in negotiations to star in Apple’s upcoming Napoleon Bonaparte biographical drama film.
The Pieces of a Woman actress would be replacing Comer for the role of Empress Josephine, the first wife of the notorious French military leader. The Emmy winner exited the project due to scheduling conflicts. This was supposed to be the Killing Eve star’s second collaboration with Scott following last year’s The Last Duel.
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Directed by Scott, Kitbag 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 capture Napoleon’s famous battles, his relentless ambition, and “astounding strategic mind as an extraordinary military leader and war visionary.”
David Scarpa (All the Money in the World) is penning the script for the 20th Century Studios project that is being produced by Scott and Kevin Walsh for Scott Free.
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Scott and Kevin Walsh will produce the project for Scott Free. Production on the film is scheduled to begin in early 2022 in the UK.
