FilmoFiliaFilmoFiliaFilmoFilia
  • News
  • Posters
  • Trailers
  • Photos
  • Red Carpet
  • Cannes Film Festival
  • More
    • Box Office
    • OSCAR Awards
    • Venice Film Festival
    • Movie Reviews
    • Interview
Reading: Joaquin Phoenix’s Bold Move: How He Almost Quit ‘Napoleon’ Over Script Concerns
Share
FilmoFiliaFilmoFilia
  • News
  • Posters
  • Trailers
  • Photos
  • Red Carpet
  • Cannes Film Festival
  • More
    • Box Office
    • OSCAR Awards
    • Venice Film Festival
    • Movie Reviews
    • Interview
Follow US
llusion is the first of all Pleasures. Copyright © 2007 - 2024 FilmoFilia
FilmoFilia > Movie News > Joaquin Phoenix’s Bold Move: How He Almost Quit ‘Napoleon’ Over Script Concerns
Movie News

Joaquin Phoenix’s Bold Move: How He Almost Quit ‘Napoleon’ Over Script Concerns

Joaquin Phoenix, ever the perfectionist, nearly walked away from Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ unless Paul Thomas Anderson was brought in for script rewrites. Discover what led to this dramatic decision.

Allan Ford August 14, 2024 Add a Comment

When it comes to intense, method-driven actors, Joaquin Phoenix certainly tops the list. His recent role as Napoleon Bonaparte in Ridley Scott's epic historical drama “Napoleon” is no exception. But, as it turns out, this iconic performance nearly didn't happen. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Phoenix was so unsettled by the script that he threatened to quit the film unless acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson, with whom he collaborated on “The Master,” was brought in to rewrite the screenplay.

This isn't the first time Phoenix's commitment to his roles has led to some last-minute changes. The actor, known for his deep immersion into his characters, reportedly began having second thoughts just before production was set to kick off in late 2022. Sources indicate that his doubts about the script's direction and how it portrayed Napoleon were so strong that he was ready to walk away from the project altogether.

Ridley Scott, a seasoned filmmaker who knows the value of a dedicated actor, acknowledged the situation in a 2023 interview with Empire. Scott admitted that Phoenix's concerns led to “significant changes” to the film. “With Joaquin, we can rewrite the goddamn film because he's uncomfortable,” Scott remarked. This meant reworking the script to ensure that it authentically captured the essence of Bonaparte's character, ultimately leading to a more nuanced portrayal.

Joaquin Phoenix, Napoleon

Despite the turmoil, the collaboration paid off. “Napoleon” hit theaters in late 2023, featuring a cast that includes Vanessa Kirby as Empress Joséphine. The film's production budget was a hefty $200 million, and it's expected to be a major contender during awards season, thanks in part to Phoenix's dedication to getting the character just right.

In the end, Phoenix's insistence on script changes—and Scott's willingness to accommodate them—might be what propels “Napoleon” to stand out in a crowded field of historical epics. This anecdote not only highlights the actor's unyielding commitment to his craft but also underscores the collaborative nature of filmmaking, where even the most seasoned directors must sometimes rethink their vision in the face of a passionate performer's insights.

You Might Also Like

Trump Biopic Chaos: Can a $100M ‘Kinder’ Film Survive the Political Firestorm?

Julianne Moore’s ‘Echo Valley’ Trailer Twists the Mother-Daughter Trope Into a Knife

Why ‘Fantastic Four’ Reshoots Aren’t the Red Flag You Think They Are

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Trading Card Posters Surprise Fans

Ridley Scott’s Cinematographer Drama Spills Into ‘The Dog Stars’ — But Who’s Really in Control?

TAGGED:Joaquin PhoenixJoséphine de BeauharnaisNapoleonPaul Thomas AndersonRidley ScottVanessa Kirby
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Threads Copy Link
Previous Article ‘Kraven the Hunter’ New Trailer and Poster: Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Brutal Marvel Origin
Next Article Kate Winslet Shines in the Intense ‘Lee’ Trailer #3: A Deep Dive into War Photography
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Deeper Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas
Tom Cruise’s $200M ‘Deeper’ Dives Into Hollywood’s Darkest Habit: Resurrection
Movie News May 16, 2025
David Lowery Tilda Swinton
David Lowery’s Death in Her Hands Isn’t a Whodunnit—It’s a “Did-It-Even-Happen?”
Movie News May 16, 2025
Final Destination Bloodlines
Final Destination Bloodlines’ Family Tree Reveals Death’s Relentless Game
Movie News May 16, 2025

Latest Trailers

Task HBO
Why HBO’s ‘Task’ Isn’t Just Another Cop Show—It’s a Gut Punch to the Genre
Movie Trailers May 16, 2025
The Bad Guys
Why ‘The Bad Guys 2’ Trailer Hits Harder Than You’d Expect
Movie Trailers May 16, 2025
Bring Her Back
Why ‘Bring Her Back’ Is the Most Unsettling Horror Trailer of 2025
Movie Trailers May 16, 2025

Latest Posters

Smurfs
The New ‘Smurfs’ Trailer Is So Bad It’s Almost Genius—Or Just Bad
Movie Posters Movie Trailers May 15, 2025
Nobody
Nobody 2’s Trailer Proves Action Movies Can Still Surprise Us
Movie Photos Movie Posters Movie Trailers May 13, 2025
Years Later
Rage, Ruin, and a Skull: What the 28 Years Later Poster Really Shows Us
Movie Photos Movie Posters May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

The Chronology of Water
Cannes Film FestivalMovie Photos

First Look at Kristen Stewart’s ‘The Chronology of Water’ Isn’t What You Think — It’s More Daring

April 24, 2025
Alien Earth
Movie Trailers

Alien: Earth’s Earth Day Teaser Hints at Eco-Dystopia—Without Showing a Frame

April 22, 2025
Fantastic Four First Steps
Movie Trailers

Why Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Trailer Feels Like a Time Machine (and a Lifeline)

April 17, 2025
Die My Love
Cannes Film Festival

Robert Pattinson, Jennifer Lawrence, and the Cannes Coup No One Saw Coming

April 17, 2025

FIlmoFilia HOMEIllusion is the first of all Pleasures. Copyright © 2007 - 2025 FilmoFilia.

  • About FilmoFilia
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?