Jodie Comer drops out of Ridley Scott’s upcoming film, Kitbag, which details the rapid ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Joaquin Phoenix.

"Unfortunately, due to COVID and changes of schedule, I don’t think I can make Kitbag work now due to a scheduling conflict," Comer told The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast. "Which is rubbish", she adds in her inimitable style.

Kitbag, which Scott is still making with Phoenix, is a look at Napoleon's origins and his fast, ruthless climb to emperor, all viewed through the prism of his volatile, passionate relationship with Josephine.

Comer is coming off quite a year. 2021 brought audiences some of her best comedic work to date in the romantic video game world set comedy, Free Guy, while many believe Comer would be secured an Oscar nomination for her fantastic dramatic work in The Last Duel if not for that film’s disappointing results at the box-office. In The Last Duel, Comer portrayed a woman who comes forward and admits she was raped. Many believed Comer’s work was among the best female performances of 2021 which were offered at the movies.

Apple Studios which is the company that will be financing Kitbag had stated that they were in 'advanced negotiations' with another actress to play Comer’s role of Empress Josephine in the highly anticipated dramatic film. Empress Josephine had an intriguing relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte which is the focus of the upcoming picture. This new movie will showcase the love that these two characters had for one another.

Source: Press Release