Apple made a massive splash at Oscars Night 2022 last year, with “Coda” becoming the first Best Picture winner ever distributed from a streaming service. And of course, Apple wants to keep its streak through the Academy Awards next year. There’s just one problem, or actually, a couple. Apple already pushed Martin Scorsese‘s “Killers Of The Flower Moon” to summer 2023, and Antoine Fuqua‘s “Emancipation” with Will Smith may be going the same route.
So, what movie could Apple possibly hinge their Oscars hopes on? The Ankler reports that it may end up being Ridley Scott‘s “Napoleon,” with a Christmas theatrical release a definite possibility. The historical drama stars Joaquin Phoenix as the military commander and emperor, with Vanessa Kirby as his obsession, Josephine. The movie just wrapped production in May, but Scott, ever the workhorse, is known for his quick turnover with films. Plus, Scott won Best Picture with another historical drama: “Gladiator,” which also starred Phoenix.
If Apple and Scott indeed join the Oscars race this year with “Napoleon,” they’ll join two other veteran directors also looking for their second Best Picture win. Steven Spielberg, fresh off the world premiere of “The Fabelmans” at TIFF, has an early front-runner for the award with his autobiographical drama. Spielberg first won Best Picture in 1993 with “Schindler’s List.” But James Cameron is in the running this year, too, with “Avatar: The Way Of Water.” Cameron won Best Picture in 1997 with “Titanic,” but “Avatar” was upset in 2010 by “The Hurt Locker,” directed by Cameron’s ex-wife, Kathryn Bigelow.
Of course, those three movies aren’t the only ones in the running this year. Expect Sarah Polley‘s “Women Talking” and Martin McDonagh‘s “The Banshees Of Inisherin” to be in the Best Picture hunt this year. The same goes for “Top Gun: Maverick,” which would be a surprise, but the movie is a cultural phenomenon. An actual dark horse pick for Oscar Best Picture 2023? “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” the Daniels-directed multiversal family drama. But it’s too early for these predictions; many other movies still need to be released theatrically before the Oscar race comes into focus.
So, don’t be surprised if Apple pushes “Napoleon” hard this holiday season. Chances are they won’t gamble on “Emancipation,” as the world still hasn’t forgiven Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars this year. If Apple is serious about another Best Picture push, “Napoleon” may be the best, if not only, horse they’ve got.