Napoleon biopic receives backlash
People say that the 18-year age difference between Phoenix, 46, and Comer, 27, did not represent Napoléon and Joséphine. Currently, the true Joséphine was six years older than her partner.
Netizens are angry as the news came out that Jodie Comer being cast as a co-star opposite Joaquin Phoenix in the Napoleon Bonaparte biopic.
This week, Deadline announced that Ridley Scott was hoping to cast Comer as Joséphine, Napoleon’s wife in Kitbag from 1796 to 1810, a new drama for Apple Studios.
Nevertheless, when news of Comer’s possible casting circulated, many pointed out that the 18-year age difference between Phoenix, 46, and Comer, 27, did not represent Napoléon and Joséphine. Currently, the true Joséphine was six years older than her partner.
This was first observed by historian Fern Riddell, who tweeted, “Look, I love Jodie Comer, I think she’s great, but this is yet another sign of Hollywood’s fascination with younger women. Wouldn’t it be easier to see an elderly actress and a younger man? Wouldn’t it have been more interesting? ”
Look I love Jodie Comer, I think she’s amazing, but this is just another example of Hollywood’s obsession with younger women. Wouldn’t it be better to see an older actress and a younger man? Wouldn’t that be more interesting? Get over yourself, Ridley Scott. pic.twitter.com/eTuphRklWz
— Dr Fern Riddell (@FernRiddell) March 3, 2021
She went on to say, “I think Jodie will be a wonderful Josephine, but send Napoleon to a younger man, not someone almost 20 years older than her, who pretends to be a lot younger than she is. We ought to know why Josephine was older than Napoleon. It’s a complex matter.”
Y'all know I live and die for Jodie Comer, but…Josephine was 6 years older than Napoleon, kind of famously! Like, it's a PART of why he eventually threw her over!
Jodie Comer is 27.
Joaquin Phoenix is *46*
Hollywood, U Remain Bananas. https://t.co/AgEUANTE6z
— Rachel Hawkins/Erin Sterling (@LadyHawkins) March 2, 2021
A Twitter user wrote, “Hollywood has a math problem whenever age gaps between men and women are in play.”
But, some viewers praised the casting, one tweeting: “Jodie Comer could make Josephine a truly mysterious and fascinating character. The age issue, F***. If you can, do it, Jodie.”
Joséphine Bonaparte was 6 years older than Napoleon. Jodie Comer is 18 years younger than Joaquin Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/QIPB5XUsSA
— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) March 3, 2021
