Historic Success at the Box Office
Director Ridley Scott’s latest venture, “Napoleon,” is making waves in the cinematic world. Projected to be his highest-earning opening in over a decade, the film has garnered a remarkable $78 million so far and is expected to rake in between $32 and $33 million over the Thanksgiving weekend. This historical epic, with Joaquin Phoenix portraying the French military leader and Vanessa Kirby as his wife Josephine, explores the complexities of Napoleon’s life and his ambitious conquests.
“Napoleon is expected to gross $32 and $33 million for Thanksgiving weekend.” – Deadline
A Resurgence of Historical Dramas
Scott’s success with “Napoleon” signifies a renewed interest in historical drama films. This genre had not seen such profitable numbers since his 2010 film “Robin Hood,” starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, and Oscar Isaac. This achievement is particularly notable, considering the lackluster performance of his previous historical drama, “The Last Duel” (2021), which only earned $30 million against a $100 million budget.
Ridley Scott: A Versatile Box Office Victor
Despite the mixed success of his historical dramas, Scott has shown a remarkable ability to succeed in various genres. Films like “Prometheus” (2012), “Alien: Covenant” (2017), “The Martian” (2015), and “House of Gucci” (2021) have all achieved significant box office success. “Napoleon” currently ranks as the sixth-highest-grossing film in Scott’s extensive filmography.
The Creative Controversy Surrounding ‘Napoleon’
Despite critical acclaim, Scott’s “Napoleon” has not been without controversy. Following its release, French critics labeled the film as “clumsy” and “anti-French.” Scott, however, has remained unfazed, pointing to the positive audience reception.
“The French don’t even like themselves. The audience that I showed it to in Paris, they loved it.” – Ridley Scott
Scott has often been at odds with critics over his creative liberties, particularly regarding historical accuracy. His approach emphasizes interpretation and entertainment value, often leading to debates with purists.
“So much of his life is up for interpretation… I was watching this video of two academics… arguing for an hour and a half about facts, about his life, on which they did not agree with each other.” – Ridley Scott
Looking Ahead: Scott’s Forthcoming ‘Gladiator 2’
The conversation around Scott’s creative choices is set to continue with the anticipated release of “Gladiator 2” on November 22, 2024. This sequel to the Oscar-winning “Gladiator” will feature Russell Crowe, Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Denzel Washington, promising another epic historical drama for audiences worldwide. As Scott navigates the landscape of film criticism and historical interpretation, his work continues to captivate and provoke discussion among viewers and critics alike.
