Even after releasing two films in 2021 – The Last Duel and House Of Gucci – Ridley Scott isn’t slowing down and has Kitbag, a film revolving around Napoleon Bonaparte, in development.
But there’s been some shake-up within the cast. Jodie Comer, who worked with Scott on The Last Duel, has left the project and has quickly been replaced by Vanessa Kirby.
Comer reportedly dropped out due to schedule changes and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Kirby’s deal is still being negotiated, but she is very likely to play Empress Josephine, the first wife of Napoleon, opposite Joaquin Phoenix.
Shooting is scheduled to begin later this month, but Scott is no stranger to late casting changes. He infamously rushed in Christopher Plummer to reshoot Kevin Spacey‘s scenes in All The Money In The World in the wake of Spacey’s horrific scandals, filming the scenes in just eight days and only one month prior to its release.
So replacing Comer won’t be a problem, although it would have been cool to see she and Scott work together again after her performance in The Last Duel has garnered awards buzz. But Kirby is a more than adequate replacement, having gained her own Oscar nomination for her difficult lead performance in Pieces Of A Woman last year.
Comer is slated to begin rehearsals for stage play Prima Facie in March, which was one of the major reasons she stepped away from Kitbag. Those wanting to see her on screen won’t have to wait too long though, as she’s set to star in the fourth and final season of Killing Eve, which begins airing in late February.
Kirby has already filmed a role in the next Mission: Impossible film, reprising her role as the White Widow from Fallout, while she’s also got a key role in Florian Zeller‘s upcoming film The Son, his follow-up to his acclaimed and Oscar-winning The Father. That also stars Hugh Jackman and Laura Dern.
We’ll likely hear more of Scott during the awards season when his two recent films are vying for statues. He’s also currently developing a sequel to his 2000 hit Gladiator, which will take place around 30 years after that film and focus on Lucius, the son of Lucilla from the original film.
Kitbag begins filming this month in Europe, and is set to be released on Apple TV+ sometime in 2023.
#Peace.Love.Kitbag
