The 1997 launched 46 metres long 3 masted sixth rate frigate built in Marmaris, Turkey, the ETOILE DU ROY entered Grand Harbour, Malta on Saturday 9th April berthing at DWQ 4, part of Valletta Gateway Terminals (VGT).
Her purpose of call was to be part of Ridley Scott historical Film Shooting called NAPOLEON of which Transport Malta issued Local Notice to Mariners too ( 043/2022) with various locations.
Meanwhile at Fort Ricasoli ( The fort has previously been seen as a backdrop in Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Agora and Troy, among others) Kalkara building of sets were transformed into the site of 1793’s siege of Toulon, where Napoleon had his first victory.
Building Set during March 2022
Fort Ricasoli flming sets building during April 2022
Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix and British actress Vanessa Kirby arrived in Malta for the filming which ran for 3 weeks. On Saturday 30th April, 2022 one of the shooting scenes was spotted below Fort St. Elmo, Valletta.
Unlike other films about Napoleon, the film will reportedly feature six major battle sequences of which Fort Ricasoli set was scene with both British & French Flags.
Meanwhile on Thursday 5th May ETOILE DU ROY was spotted renamed as HMS INCONSTANT which was a 36 gun Perseverance Class fifth rate frigate launched in 1783 of the Royal Navy .She had a successful career serving in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
HMS INCONSTANT was seen berthed at St. Angelo Wharf, part of Grand Harbour Marina with the Miggiani Offshore supply boats JOANNA M and MARIA C assisting
A Napoleon war feature film has been the dream of many filmmakers and Ridley Scott is keen to take over the baton.
“Napoleon is a man I’ve always been fascinated by. He came out of nowhere to rule everything — but all the while he was waging a romantic war with his adulterous wife Josephine. He conquered the world to try to win her love, and when he couldn’t, he conquered it to destroy her, and destroyed himself in the process.”
The film will take a personal look at the origins of this history giant and his climb to power, through the view of his love, Josephine. It will be also portraying Napoleon’s most famous battle, as well as his relentless ambition and astounding strategic mind.
Meanwhile ETOILE DU ROY was originally built as the GRAND TURK owned by Turk Phoenix Ltd, UK to provide a replica of a frigate for the production of the ITV series adapted from the novels about Royal Navy officer Horatio Hornblower by C. S. Forester.
She left Malta on Tuesday 10th May at 1828 hrs bound to her homeport.
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Published – Thursday 30th June, 2022.
