A FILM crew spotted in the grounds of a country house is for Ridley Scott's upcoming blockbuster with Joaquin Phoenix, it has been confirmed.
West Wycombe Park staff confirmed a film team had been using the estate this week after a large marquee was seen in a field off the Oxford Road.
At first, staff were unable to say who and what was being filmed there – but did say the crew had been there for two days and had not used the grounds before.
The BFP has since learned filming is for an upcoming historical drama directed by Ridley Scott called Kitbag, starring Joker actor Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon.
It reportedly depicts the French leader's rise to power.
When asked, a source in the film industry- who didn't want to be named- confirmed: "Yes, it's called Kitbag, it's about Napoleon."
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A large white marquee can be seen from the road along with lights, generators, trucks, and construction vehicles.
Pink signs in the area show directions for horses, technical, and catering.
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Season two filming of hit period Netflix drama Bridgerton in West Wycombe was apparently halted in August last year after someone on set tested positive for Covid-19, according to national reports.
Also, according to The Sun, the cast and crew’s Covid tests had been “muddled up” the month before, meaning they had no idea whose was whose – and one of them was apparently positive.
Locals on social media had speculated whether it could be Ridley Scott’s upcoming historical drama about Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix, now confirmed.
Kitbag is scheduled to be released by Apple TV+ in 2023.
“We had some filming here but they’re leaving today, I can’t say who it is,” park staff said. “They filmed for two days and haven’t been here before.”
The West Wycombe estate has been a major attraction for moviemakers in the past – with shows and films like Cranford, Sense and Sensibility, X-Men, The Crown, Downton Abbey, The Duchess and Bridget Jones’ Diary being filmed there.
Over the years, the main house has been transformed into a Russian palace, the White House, a grand mansion, an American restaurant, a French chateau, an Indian palace and even Buckingham Palace for the big screen.
Joaquin Phoenix image: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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