Ridley Scott‘s director’s cut of his upcoming film Napoleon initially clocked in around nearly four-and-a-half hours. However, the director has since trimmed the extended cut, though not by very much.
In an exclusive interview with Total Film magazine, Scott shared his progress, “I’m working on it. It was four [hours] 10 [minutes] this morning. And so what will happen is, we’ll screen [the theatrical cut] first with Sony, and then it has its run, and then the perfect thing is that [the director’s cut] goes to streaming, and we have four hours 10 minutes.”
Napoleon delves into the rise and fall of the French emperor, focusing on his complex relationship with Empress Joséphine, portrayed by Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One). The film reunites Scott with Joaquin Phoenix, known for his unforgettable performance in Gladiator, who takes on the role of the enigmatic French leader. Alongside Phoenix, the film features an exceptional cast, including Tahar Rahim (The Mauritanian), Ben Miles (Hijack), Ludivine Sagnier (Lupin), and Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding).
In the extended cut, Scott promises an even deeper exploration of the character Joséphine de Beauharnais, including intricate facets of Joséphine’s life before her fateful encounter with Napoleon. This addition promises to provide viewers with a richer understanding of this captivating character’s journey.
The extended cut of the film will stream exclusively on Apple TV+, although a release date for streaming has not yet been announced. The film will hit theatres on 23 November 2023.