March 15, 2022 6.00 pm This story is over 24 months old

Lincoln Cathedral set ready for filming Ridley Scott’s Napoleon with Joaquin Phoenix

Not long to go until filming gets underway now
Filming for Napoleon took place in March 2022. | Photo: Ronnie Byrne for The Lincolnite
By Local Democracy Reporter

Scenes from legendary film producer Ridley Scott’s latest picture will be shot at Lincoln Cathedral later this week, with the city’s crown jewel playing the part of Notre Dame for the Napoleonic flick.

Filming for the movie, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix, will take place in Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18, between 7am and 7pm.

The title is as yet unknown, but it was originally named Kitbag, and is now expected to be called either Napoleon, after the main character Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Phoenix, or Marengo, the name of a battle found between French and Austrian forces in June 1800.

The film set is looking busier and busier. | Photo: Ronnie Byrne for The Lincolnite

Joaquin Phoenix will be joined by The Crown actress Vanessa Kirby, starring alongside the Joker and Gladiator actor in the role of Empress Josephine, the first wife of Napoleon.

Crews arrived in the city to prepare the set on Wednesday, March 9, and have been hard at work ever since to turn 21st century Lincoln into late 18th century France, with Lincoln Cathedral being transformed into Notre Dame for the film.

| Photo: Ronnie Byrne for The Lincolnite

More equipment is being brought to the cathedral by the day, and now sculptures have been spotted at the scene, along with various vans and lorries moving items around on set.

Ravendale Sports Ground has been used as a base of operations for the film set, with nearby businesses and residents given a letter detailing the length of time they can expect possible disruption.

A series of sculptures are being brought into the cathedral for filming. | Photo: Ronnie Byrne for The Lincolnite

Film crews could be seen transporting the sculptures on Tuesday. | Photo: Ronnie Byrne for The Lincolnite

As well as this, a number of areas in Lincoln will be closed while filming and set up takes place, including parking access at Eastgate and Westgate, and a closure at Minster Yard, starting from today (Tuesday).

The filming will be complete in Lincoln after Friday, March 18, and the movie itself is set to be finished next year, hitting cinemas at some point in 2023.

A large number of workers on set getting the cathedral ready for lights, camera, action. | Photo: Ronnie Byrne for The Lincolnite