Ridley Scott’s epic film Napoleon may come in a shorter theatrical release at 2 hours and 38 minutes as well as a director’s cut of 4 hours and 10 minutes (as of its last editing), the legendary director said. He suggested the long one will air on Apple TV+ after the short one’s theatrical release.
Theatrical and streaming releases of Napoleon may differ in length
Scott cut down his long version and he expects it to air on Apple TV+ after the shorter version runs in theaters (starting November 22), he told Total Film magazine (via GamesRadar+).
“I’m working on it. It was four [hours] 10 [minutes] this morning,” Scott told the magazine. “And so what will happen is, we’ll screen [the theatrical cut] first with Sony, and then it has its run, and then the perfect thing is that [the director’s cut] goes to streaming, and we have four hours 10 minutes.”
Scott, 85, is famous for his long career spanning from the late 1970s (The Duellists, Alien) through the decades (Thelma and Louse, Gladiator, American Gangster) to now.
Over that time, he released a few “director’s cut” versions of films, as he plans to do with Napoleon. It tells the story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s (Joaquin Phoenix) rise and fall as emperor of France amid his relationship with Empress Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).
Could we get both ‘short’ and long versions on Apple TV+?
The long version is extended mainly to show more of Josephine’s life prior to meeting Napoleon, Scott has said.
And from what he said above, it sounds like Apple TV+ will air the long version. However, Apple has not confirmed its plans for the streaming release on Apple TV+. It might offer both the director’s cut and the theatrical version.
Providing both versions on the streaming service would be a first for Apple TV+. And viewers who want the merely epic theatrical version, as well as those who want the full immersion of the director’s cut, would appreciate the choice.
I, for one, will dedicate much of an upcoming Saturday or Sunday — or both, with breaks — to the long one.
Watch it on Apple TV+
After first airing in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 299 wins and 1,451 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
In addition to award-winning movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso), Apple TV+ offers a variety of documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.
