Vanessa Kirby and Joaquin Phoenix of The Crown recreate the night Napoleon was almost killed

When she agreed to play Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife Josephine, actress Vanessa Kirby might well have been expecting fireworks. But perhaps not quite so.

The former The Crown star filmed a dramatic scene last week from the long-awaited biopic about the French emperor, recreating the moment they both nearly died in a monarchist bomb plot.

In our exclusive photos – the first to feature the actress as fashionista Madame Bonaparte – she scowls at Joaquin Phoenix, who plays her husband, after the failed assassination attempt.

Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby as Napoleon and Josephine in Ridley Scott's Kitbag at the Greenwich Naval College in London.

Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby as Napoleon and Josephine in Ridley Scott’s Kitbag at the Greenwich Naval College in London.

The scene is based on the assassination attempt on Napoleon on December 24, 1800.

The scene is based on the assassination attempt on Napoleon on December 24, 1800.

Former Crown star Vanessa Kirby filmed a dramatic scene last week from the long-awaited biopic about the French emperor, recreating the moment they both nearly died in a monarchist bomb plot.

Former Crown star Vanessa Kirby filmed a dramatic scene last week from the long-awaited biopic about the French emperor, recreating the moment they both nearly died in a monarchist bomb plot.

The Apple TV production, directed by Sir Ridley Scott, follows Napoleon's rise to power through the hot and cold relationship he had with his unfaithful wife.

The Apple TV production, directed by Sir Ridley Scott, follows Napoleon’s rise to power through the hot and cold relationship he had with his unfaithful wife.

The Apple TV production, directed by Sir Ridley Scott, follows Napoleon’s rise to power through the hot and cold relationship he had with his unfaithful wife.

The dramatic scenes filmed on Thursday in Greenwich, southeast London, depict a pivotal moment in Napoleon’s rise as his enemies tried to assassinate him in Paris on Christmas Eve 1800.

While the couple were on their way to the French premiere of Joseph Haydn’s The Creation, a horse-drawn wagon filled with gunpowder and stones exploded. But both survived, and four years later Napoleon proclaimed himself Emperor of France.

A source on set said, “The work done for this is incredible, the scenes are sensational… so much attention to detail.”

The dramatic scenes filmed on Thursday in Greenwich, southeast London, depict a pivotal moment in Napoleon's rise as his enemies tried to assassinate him in Paris on Christmas Eve 1800.

The dramatic scenes filmed on Thursday in Greenwich, southeast London, depict a pivotal moment in Napoleon’s rise as his enemies tried to assassinate him in Paris on Christmas Eve 1800.

A source on set said,

A source on set said, “The work done for this is incredible, the scenes are sensational… so much attention to detail.”

According to historical records, Napoleon survived the explosion thanks to a speedy coachman and the fact that the conspirators expected him to have a cavalry escort.

According to historical records, Napoleon survived the explosion thanks to a speedy coachman and the fact that the conspirators expected him to have a cavalry escort.

Madame Bonaparte rode in a carriage behind her husband with her daughter Hortense Beauharnais and Napoleon's sister Caroline Murat. She is played by Vanessa Kirby.

Madame Bonaparte rode in a carriage behind her husband with her daughter Hortense Beauharnais and Napoleon’s sister Caroline Murat.

Madame Bonaparte rode in a carriage behind her husband with her daughter Hortense Beauharnais and Napoleon's sister Caroline Murat.

Madame Bonaparte rode in a carriage behind her husband with her daughter Hortense Beauharnais and Napoleon’s sister Caroline Murat.

According to historical records, Napoleon survived the explosion thanks to a speedy coachman and the fact that the conspirators expected him to have a cavalry escort.

Madame Bonaparte rode in a carriage behind her husband, along with her daughter Hortense de Beauharnais and Napoleon’s sister Caroline Murat.

The party dragged on because of the fuss over Josephine’s shawl.

The attempt, apparently, did not embarrass Napoleon, who arrived at the theater and said:

The attempt, apparently, did not embarrass Napoleon, who arrived at the theater and said: “The scoundrels wanted to blow me up.”

The new film, simply titled

The new film, simply titled “Napoleon”, is expected to contain many lewd scenes early next year.

Sir Ridley said: “Napoleon is a man who has always fascinated me.  He came out of nowhere to rule everything and in the meantime waged a romantic war with his unfaithful wife.

Sir Ridley said: “Napoleon is a man who has always fascinated me. He came out of nowhere to rule everything and in the meantime waged a romantic war with his unfaithful wife.”

The attempt, apparently, did not embarrass Napoleon, who arrived at the theater and said: “The scoundrels wanted to blow me up.

Bring me the oratorio book.

The new film, simply titled “Napoleon”, is expected to contain many lewd scenes early next year.

Sir Ridley said: “Napoleon is a man who has always fascinated me. He came out of nowhere to rule everything and meanwhile waged a romantic war with his unfaithful wife.

“He conquered the world to try to win her love, and when he couldn’t, he conquered it to destroy her. And he destroyed himself in the process.

He added,

He added, “He conquered the world to try to win her love, and when he couldn’t, he conquered it to destroy her.” And he destroyed himself in the process’

This marks the first time the 47-year-old American actor Phoenix has worked with Sir Ridley since starring in the 2000 film Gladiator.

The film was previously titled Kitbag, which referenced the saying, “In every soldier’s duffel bag is a general’s headquarters,” meaning that any soldier has what it takes to be a leader.

Miss Kirby, 34, who played Princess Margaret in the first two episodes of The Crown, was cast after Killing Eve star Jodie Comer was forced to pull out of production when filming was delayed due to the coronavirus.