Sony Pictures Malaysia has unveiled the first trailer for Ridley Scott’s next historical epic film, Napoleon.

Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.

This looks like Ridley Scott’s first true historical war epic since the horrible 2014’s Exodus Gods And Kings (2021’s The Last Duel was more of a historical drama). Let’s hope Napoleon turns out to be more like 2000’s Gladiator or 2005’s Kingdom Of Heaven. Fun fact: Napoleon will be the second Emperor portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, the first was Emperor Commodus of the Roman Empire in Gladiator.

Written by David Scarpa. Produced by Ridley Scott, Kevin J. Walsh, Mark Huffam and Joaquin Phoenix. Executive producers are Raymond Kirk, Aidan Elliott and Michael Pruss. The film also stars Vanessa Kirby.

Napoleon will premiere in Malaysian cinemas on 23 November 2023.

Check out the epic trailer below: