The trailer for Napoleon reveals Ridley Scott's latest historical epic. The movie, which is set to premiere in theaters on November 22 before its streaming release on Apple TV+, follows the rise to power of famed French leader Napoleon Bonaparte and his romance with Empress Joséphine. Along with Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Joséphine, the movie stars Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Matthew Needham, and Paul Rhys.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has now unveiled the first official trailer for the Napoleon movie. Check it out below:
The trailer opens in the chaotic streets of 1793 France before introducing Phoenix's title character. In between shots of lavishly produced battle scenes, the movie tracks the leader's rise to power and the hard choices he must make along the way.
What Kind of Ridley Scott Historical Epic Will Napoleon Be?
Director Ridley Scott has proven his range at bringing many different genres to the screen. However, one genre that he has a tendency to return to time and again is the historical epic, whether it be historical fiction or stories more directly based on real people and events. He has already explored the form multiple times in movies such as Gladiator, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, Kingdom of Heaven, and The Last Duel.
Generally, these movies have been well received. This especially includes Gladiator, which won five Oscars including Best Picture, and The Last Duel, which is Scott's sixth highest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the director has had a hand in much more divisive historical movies such as Exodus: Gods and Kings, which drew controversy for whitewashing Egyptian characters, and Robin Hood, which is his seventh worst-rated movie.
So far, Napoleon looks to be much closer to the top of Scott's range of historical epics than the bottom. With its lavish production values and the complicated character at the center of the mayhem, it could very well become a success both critically and commercially. This is good news for Scott, who is readying to helm the even buzzier historical epic Gladiator 2.
Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment