Way back in 2004 a project called Napoleon and Betsy was started that was to tell the story of Napoleon’s final years as seen through the eyes of a young girl. Scarlett Johansson was attached as the young girl. The project sat on the back burner for a while, but was brought back up again in 2005 when Benjamin Ross came aboard to direct. Then promptly disappeared once again.
Now it’s back once again with Benjamin Ross still attached to direct (and write), but with Scarlett Johansson now no longer attached as the star. Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, will be replacing Johansson as Betsy Balcombe, a young, impetuous noblewoman trapped on the isolated British Isle of St. Helena who falls in love with Napoleon, who is in exile on the island.
Johansson is still producing the project but left the role as it reportedly began to “skew younger” (which is Hollywoodspeak for “she got too old”). Watson is expected to film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows early 2009 and hopes to film Napoleon and Betsy this fall. The role of Napoleon has not yet been cast.
Nice to see her branch out!
“Napoleon and Betsy?” They couldn’t think of a better title, like Hermione and the Little Dictator?
Yeah, it’s not even a sexy name or anything. Just Betsy. They should call it “Lolita of St. Helena.”
[...] Geez, according to Hollywood standards, 23 years is now considered over the hill. Emily Watson has just replaced Scarlett Johansson in the new indie film, Napolean and Betsy. [...]
Her name isn’t Emily Watson. It’s Emma Watson. Hope they cast Olivier Martinez as Napoleon. That will give me an even better reason to see this movie.
Who said it was Emily?
Capn’ blames Lord Voldamort, he proly said Emily…