Jodie Komer has resigned from Ridley Scott’s drama Kitbag, with Vanessa Kirby taking her place.
According to reports, Comer, 28 years old, resigned over COVID-19 scheduling problems. Apple was said to be in advanced negotiations to hire an unnamed actress as her replacement.
Deadline later reported that actress is 33-year-old The Crown star Kirby, whose team was negotiating a deal.
Substitution:Jodie Coer is leaving Ridley Scott’s history drama Kitbag. Vanessa Kirby has signed on as her replacement.
Kirby will portray Empress Josephine who was Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife. Joaquin Phoenix will also play the role.
This movie depicts Bonaparte’s rapid rise to the position of Emperor. It is also reflected in Josephine’s relationship.
Napoleon’s and Josephine’s relationship has been described as, “addictive, often volatile,” with Josephine being his, “one true love.”
Bowed out: It was reported on Tuesday afternoon that Comer, 28, bowed out due to COVID-19-related scheduling issues
Empress: Kirby will portray Empress Josephine, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, who will be played by Joaquin Phoenix
Apple Studios purchased the project with Scott joining as the director. This is Scott’s second time directing with Apple Studios.
Scott will direct the film from the script of David Scarpa (All The Money in the World), with Scott producing alongside Kevin Walsh.
According to the BBC, in November the director stated that Kitbag would be the location for production. He also described the film as a “monster”.
Director: Apple Studios picked up the project in October 2020 with Scott coming aboard to direct, reuniting with his Gladiator star Phoenix
Kirby first came into prominence by playing Princess Margaret on Netflix’s The Crown, which earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Moving on, she played the role of the White Widow in Mission: Impossible: Fallout (2018).
The actress continued making waves on the big screen the next year in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw and Mr. Jones.
Nomination: Kirby first came into prominence by playing Princess Margaret on Netflix’s The Crown, which earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
For her performance as Martha in Netflix’s Pieces of a Woman, she received her first Oscar nomination.
Kirby will appear in Mission: Impossible 7 (September 30, 2022), and The Son with Hugh Jackman (TBA).
Pre-production includes The Brutalist, which features Sebastian Stan and Marion Cotillard, and Suddenly which stars Jake Gyllenhaal.
Oscar nomination: She earned her first Oscar nomination last year for playing Martha in Netflix’s Pieces of a Woman