Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte.Photo: Click News/Goff/SplashNews.com

EXCLUSIVE: First Pictures! First on set pictures of Joaquin Phoenix as French military leader and emperor Napoleon

Joaquin Phoenixis making history.

WhenDeadlinereportedPhoenix’s casting newsfor the project back in October 2020, the film was described as focusing on Bonaparte’s historic battles, ambition and strategy that made him a historical military leader.

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Set of Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Bonaparte film.Click News/Goff/SplashNews.com

EXCLUSIVE: First Pictures! First on set pictures of Joaquin Phoenix as French military leader and emperor Napoleon

Bonaparte rose to power during France’s revolutionary wars and became emperor in 1804. He was exiled to Elba in 1814, escaped and reigned as emperor again until his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. He was then re-exiled to St. Helena, where he died in 1821 at the age of 51.

Phoenix won anAcademy Award for Best Actorfor his performance in 2019’sJoker, and was previously nominated for his turns inGladiator,Walk the LineandThe Master.

Scott, 84, directed two movies that hit theaters last year:House of GucciandThe Last Duel.

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In January, Scott toldThe Hollywood Reporterthat Bonaparte’s relationship with Josephine is what intrigued him to take on the project.

“You’ve got to serve battles, and action, and sex with great restraint. Otherwise, it all gets boring,” he told the magazine.

Scott added, “What is it about Napoleon that makes him fascinating? Very simply this: a man who was one of the most powerful men in history, yet is so reliant on a woman.”

source: people.com