Apple TV+ to produce ‘Kitbag’, the Napoleon Bonaparte epic, starring Joaquin Phoenix

The Deadline reports that Apple TV+ has signed a deal to produce ‘Kitbag’, the Napoleon Bonaparte epic in partnership with Scott Free. The new movie will be directed by Ridley Scott and star Joaquin Phoenix, the Oscar-winning actor of the movie, Joker. The production is said to being in early 2022 in the United Kingdom.

Apple TV+ is the Cupertino tech giant’s video streaming service that offers a diverse range of original dramas, shows, and movies for kids and adults. The upcoming movies on the service are ‘Palmer’ starring Justin Timberlake on January 29, ‘Cherry’ starring Tom Holland on March 12. Last year, Apple studio signed deals with renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, producer Idris Elba to make exclusive movies and television shows for the video streaming service over several years. Apple TV+ team has also acquired rights to produce a new graphic novel adaptation thriller ‘Snow Blind’ starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

Other movies on the service are as following:

  • Greyhound: A WWII Thriller starring Tom Hanks
  • On the Rocks, starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones
  • The Sky is Everywhere with A24
  • Swan Song, starring Mahershala Ali
  • Sharper starring Julianne Moore
Apple TV
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 20: Joaquin Phoenix attends the ‘Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot’ premiere during the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Berlinale Palast on February 20, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Apple TV+ to produce Neopolean Bonaparte epic

The movie on the historic french ruler will bring diversity to the current very American centered content on Apple TV+ service and director Scott is very excited about the project because he not only personally admires Napoleon journey to become a ruler but also that he has an amazing actor, Joaquin to tell Bonaparte story. Explaining the name of the movie “is derived from the saying “There is a general’s staff hidden in every soldier’s kitbag”, he said:

“Napoleon is a man I’ve always been fascinated by. He came out of nowhere to rule everything — but all the while he was waging a romantic war with his adulterous wife Josephine. He conquered the world to try to win her love, and when he couldn’t, he conquered it to destroy her, and destroyed himself in the process.

Apple TV

The film is 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 intention of the film is to capture Napoleon’s famous battles, relentless ambition and astounding strategic mind as an extraordinary military leader and war visionary.

No actor could ever embody Napoleon like Joaquin. He created one of movie history’s most complex Emperors in Gladiator, and we’ll create another with his Napoleon. It’s a brilliant script written by David Scarpa, and today there’s no better partner than Apple to bring a story like this to a global audience.”

About the Author

Addicted to social media and in love with iPhone, started blogging as a hobby. And now it's my passion for every day is a new learning experience. Hopefully, manufacturers will continue to use innovative solutions and we will keep on letting you know about them.

3 comments

Leave a comment