Ridley Scott is finally making Stanley Kubrick's dream come true by directing an English-language biopic of Napoleon I. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular Emperor, the film will see his rise in power through the POV of his first wife, Empress Josephine, played by Vanessa Kirby.
As recounted by the BBC, this was a dream project for auteur Kubrick, and his vision was in development hell until his death. While Kubrick may have not gotten his way, there are still countless Napoleon films considering his impact on history. Which begs the question, what tales in history should get their chance to shine on the silver screen? The folks over at Reddit have come up with a few topics that deserve an adaptation.
Leo Major, The One Man Army
World War Two was the largest global conflict of all time, and it's been largely covered by films and series. There are countless examples of acts of heroism from single individuals throughout the war, but it'd be hard-pressed to find if there are any accounts as incredible as one Leo Major.
Redditor bikemaker stated that there should "definitely" be a movie on Canadian soldier, Leo Major, "hands down." Originally meant to do reconnaissance on the town of Zwolle, he would eventually help liberate the town single-handedly. The film could show the incredible actions of the man as he largely acts alone until eventually receiving aid from the Dutch resistance.
Vue Pa Chay's Revolt
When discussing the French colonization of Indochina, what comes to mind is mostly Vietnam as it was the immediate precursor to the U.S. Military intervention during the 60s and 70s. But there is another chapter in the French occupation that should be noted, and that is Vue Pa Chay's Revolt. A war over unfair French taxation was used upon the Hmong populace, and thus sparked a fierce resistance by the Hmong led by Vue Pa Chay.
Redditor mjk1093 was the one to suggest the conflict on Reddit. The Hmong leader was an interesting figure, climbing trees to receive orders from God. His troops even "managed to independently re-invent the cannon." The cannon in question was crafted from the trunk of a tree and was loaded up with miscellaneous scraps of metal and gunpowder. The makeshift cannon was incredibly heavy that only one Hmong resistance fighter was able to carry and wield it, which could be quite cinematic. The film could shine a light on not only a conflict but a culture largely underrepresented in media.
The Battle Off Samar
The tropes of the "last stand," "against all odds," or "at all costs" are celebrated story elements for any audience member to get behind. The Battle Of Leyte Gulf was an encompassment of multiple conflicts, but there was one such conflict that managed to include all three of those aforementioned tropes, the Battle off Samar.
The Battle off Samar was a Naval battle that pitted the largest ever assembled Imperial Japanese Naval Force consisting mostly of Battleships including the Yamamoto against the American Taffy-3 force which consisted of Destroyers and Lite Aircraft-Carriers. Against all odds, Taffy-3 managed to hold off the large imposing force from advancing upon the Leyte Gulf buying the Allies enough time and avoiding a devastating attack by the Imperial Navy. Redditor spacemanspiff30 stated that "Samar is probably one of the most incredible stories ever."
The Bone Wars
Healthy competition is a celebrated feat amongst multiple circles such as sports, scientists, and inventors. Unfortunately, competition isn't always performed in healthy manners and some cases can become so aggressive that it results in violence. One example of the latter was the Bone Wars, alternatively known as The Great Dinosaur Rush.
In the 19th century two paleontologists, Othniel Charles Marsh & Edward Drinker Cope became infamous for their fierce rivalry where each tried to one-up the other by any means necessary. One of those means explained by RogueLieutenant was that "they would sneak into each other's dig sites and dynamited the fossils to thwart one another." This tale could be The Prestige, but instead of magicians, it's paleontologists.
The U.S. Overthrow Of The Hawaiian Monarchy
Redditor yumit18 suggested the U.S. "takeover of Hawaii and queen Liliuokalani’s deposal" in 1893. This event is infamous for being the first example of the U.S. Government sponsoring the coup of a sovereign nation for the sake of capitalist interests. Queen Liliʻuokalani attempted to restore the powers of the Hawaiian monarchy and help those disenfranchised by the growing American businesses on the island nation.
In response, a group consisting of pro-American farmers, business leaders, and eventually the U.S. Marines would successfully overthrow the Queen and the Monarchy entirely. This would eventually lead to the annexation of Hawaii to the U.S. in 1898.
Zheng Yi Sao, Pirate Queen
Redditor aiandi couldn't sing enough praise for the famed prostitute-turned-pirate, Zheng Yi Sao, "the richest and most successful pirate to have ever lived." Additionally, "SHE commanded a fleet 40,000 strong and retired to live to a ripe, old age." Also known as C Shih, she would take over her deceased husband's fleet and expand it to 400 Junks all under her command.
She would enter into conflicts with various parties including the East India Company. Eventually, she would pre-date Escobar in negotiating a surrender to the Qing Dynasty but on her terms allowing her to live out her days with immense wealth and never being prosecuted for her plunders.
Hannibal The Conqueror
Quite possibly the "Greatest Military General in history" or so says littledramaboy when suggesting that there should be a film of the legendary commander of Carthage, Hannibal. Aside from a few appearances in some Italian silent films and the subject of multiple documentaries, there has not been a single feature film on one of the greatest military minds to have walked on this Earth.
His strategy utilized in the Battle of Cannae is still regarded as one of the greatest military victories of all time. He was one of the first commanders to learn about their enemies' personalities to determine their strengths and weaknesses. His exploits in the Second Punic War are still celebrated to this day, but most draw attention to the War Elephants he brought with him when invading Italy.
Kintpuash And The Modoc War
The United States genocide of the Native Americans is one of the darkest chapters in this nation's history. From the Trail of Tears to the various conflicts with the U.S. Army, there is no shortage of tales to be told of the plight of the Native American. One such tale is that of Kintpuash (strikes the water brashly) also known as Captain Jack, Chief of the Modoc Tribe.
Redditor pat953 believes the story of the Modoc chief and the defense of his people against the U.S. Army would make a great movie. Kintpuash would find himself successfully holding off the army forces before he was tragically betrayed by members of his tribe. He was eventually arrested along with other leaders of the Modoc tribe and was sentenced to death.
The Invasion of Waikato
"The Sun never sets on the British Empire" is one of the most famous phrases to come out of the 19th century. It's simultaneously jeering and ominous because the British had colonial holds in various lands across the globe.
One of these lands was the island of New Zealand. Redditor shadowbannedkiwi believes this should be a movie as a way to teach a larger audience a valuable history lesson on one of the bigger atrocities committed by the British Empire. "It was a heavy conflict between two crowns. The British Crown and the Maori Crown, who held up heavy resistance against the larger British forces."
John Brown, Abolitionist
John Brown is one of the most controversial figures in the history of the United States for his unflinching devotion to the abolition movement before the Civil War that strongly believed in the use of violence to confront the institution of slavery. His devotion to the cause was so much that even famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass believed that Brown's actions matched his own, saying, "I live for the slave, he would die for them."
Redditor troubadour76 brought up how Quentin Tarantino would only do a biopic if it was on "John Brown and Bleeding Kansas." Together with his sons, John Brown would hold off pro-slavery soldiers in the conflict to determine the slavery status of the newly appointed state.