Apple Original 'Napoleon' will see theatrical release in November

An American playing Napoleon and a Brit playing Josephine? I wonder what the French have to say about that. 

Japhey said:

An American playing Napoleon and a Brit playing Josephine? I wonder what the French have to say about that. 

Probably not much. After all the same director casted the same actor to play a (fictitious) Roman emperor over two decades ago. And in that same film a Kiwi played a Spaniard. That film Gladiator won five Academy Awards (out of 12 nominations) including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role (2000).

Ridley Scott has a long distinguished track record at not looking at actors' passports. It's not like this is an unusual practice for this director. In fact, his first feature film The Duellists (1977) also was set in France. Scott casted many non-French actors for this movie; particularly amusing to this discussion, this film took place during the Napoleonic Wars. 

This is nothing new or unusual to Ridley Scott. For centuries Shakespearean theatre has been overly represented by British acting talent despite many of the stories taking place outside of the British Isles.

The French would probably have more complaints if this production had inaccurate costumes or the locations were blatantly wrong. However Sir Ridley isn't the type who just glosses over such details.

mpantone said:

The French would probably have more complaints if this production had inaccurate costumes or the locations were blatantly wrong. However Sir Ridley isn't the type who just glosses over such details.

I beg to differ.  Ridley Scott does whatever the hell he wants to do if he thinks it serves the film and the story better, and is quite open about that.  

Japhey said:

An American playing Napoleon and a Brit playing Josephine? I wonder what the French have to say about that. 

Since when Napoleon became French?

Excited about this being a Ridley Scott film, but disappointed that it stars Joaquin Phoenix.