Jodie Comer might star opposite Joaquin Phoenix in a Napoleon biopic. People have already spotted a problem

Twitter users are criticised a report that Jodie Comer is in early stage talks to star opposite Joaquin Phoenix in a Napoléon Bonaparte biopic.

Earlier this week, Deadline reported that Ridley Scott hopes to cast Comer as Joséphine, Napoléon’s wife from 1796 to 1810 in Kitbag, a new drama for Apple Studios.

Director Scott recently worked with the Killing Eve actor on The Last Duel, while Joker star Phoenix will portray the French military leader on his rise to power.

However, as reports of Comer’s potential casting emerged, many pointed out that the 18-year age gap between Phoenix, 46, and Comer, 27, was not reflective of Napoléon and Joséphine. The real Joséphine was actually six years older than her partner.

This was noted by historian Fern Riddell, who tweeted: “Look I love Jodie Comer, I think she’s amazing, but this is just another example of Hollywood’s obsession with younger women. Wouldn’t it be better to see an older actress and a younger man? Wouldn’t that be more interesting?”

She continued: “I think Jodie would be an amazing Josephine, but give Napoleon to a younger man, not someone nearly 20 years older than her, pretending to be a lot younger than she is. We need to know Josephine was older than Napoleon. That dynamic matters.”

Awards Watch critic Erik Anderson also tweeted: “Joséphine Bonaparte was six years older than Napoleon. Jodie Comer is 18 years younger than Joaquin Phoenix.”

“At first I was happy, thinking Jodie Comer will play Marie Louise, I’m now p***ed at the thought she may play Josephine - who was six years SENIOR to Napoleon while Jodie is 19 years JUNIOR to Joaquin,” one tweet read.

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“Y’all know I live and die for Jodie Comer, but... Josephine was six years older than Napoleon, kind of famously! Like, it’s a PART of why he eventually threw her over,” author Rachel Hawkins tweeted. “Jodie Comer is 27. Joaquin Phoenix is *46*. Hollywood, U Remain Bananas.”

“Hollywood has a math problem whenever age gaps between men and women are in play,” another tweet read.

However, some fans supported the casting, with one tweeting: “Jodie Comer could make Josephine a really enigmatic and interesting character. F*** the age thing. Do it Jodie if you can.”

Last month, Netflix’s The Dig was accused of ageism after they similarly cast Carey Mulligan, 35, in the role of a real-life 56-year-old woman.

The Independent has contacted Ridley Scott’s representatives for comment.