Napoleon - Soldier of Destiny

MOVIE TREATMENT: Napoleon: Soldier of Destiny
Based on the book by Michael Broers
Genre: Historical Epic / War Drama
Directed by: Ridley Scott or Christopher Nolan (suggested)
Starring:

Tom Cruise as Napoleon Bonaparte

Tom Welling as Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington

Joe Jukic as Captain Luka Zrinski, commander of Napoleon’s elite Croatian mercenary battalion

LOGLINE:
Before he became an emperor, he was a revolutionary. Napoleon: Soldier of Destiny chronicles the meteoric rise of a Corsican outsider who became the greatest military mind of his age, forged Europe in his image, and placed his destiny in the hands of soldiers, especially one fierce band of Croatians led by the ruthless and loyal Captain Luka Zrinski.

ACT I – THE FLAME IGNITES
Corsica, 1789.
A young Napoleon Bonaparte (Tom Cruise), filled with ambition, idealism, and fury at his noble-but-poor background, joins the revolutionary fervor sweeping France. The early acts follow Napoleon’s career through the Toulon campaign, the 13 Vendémiaire uprising, and his romantic obsession with Josephine.

After winning political favor, he is granted command of the Army of Italy. He begins a series of rapid and brutal military victories that cement his reputation as a tactical genius.

Here, he meets Captain Luka Zrinski (Joe Jukic), a fierce Croatian officer with a loyal company of Dalmatian and Bosnian mercenaries, famed for their fearlessness and battlefield brutality. Napoleon recruits them personally.

Napoleon (to his generals):
“These Croats are not just soldiers. They are destiny incarnate. Steel-hearted. Deathless. They will go where others break.”

ACT II – GLORY & SHADOWS
We follow Napoleon's campaigns in Egypt, his political maneuverings back in France, and the eventual coup of 18 Brumaire that sees him rise to First Consul. The film balances politics, romance, and war—but always centers on his belief in fate, strategy, and brotherhood-in-arms.

Throughout the film, Captain Zrinski becomes both a confidant and a moral mirror. While Napoleon believes in shaping history, Zrinski believes in serving justice through discipline and sacrifice. Their bond grows, especially after battles like Marengo and Austerlitz.

Meanwhile, Tom Welling’s Duke of Wellington is introduced in parallel—first in India, then as the British counterpoint to Napoleon’s genius. His rise mirrors Napoleon’s, but with a cool reserve and aristocratic disdain. A slow-burning rivalry is forged in absentia, leading to the inevitable clash.

Zrinski’s Croats are seen holding impossible lines in the Alps, crushing Austrians in Bavaria, and defending the imperial eagle at all costs.

ACT III – CLASH OF TITANS
As Napoleon’s empire reaches its height, cracks begin to form. Russia looms. Spain festers with guerrilla war. Captain Zrinski warns Napoleon that hubris is overtaking destiny.

Zrinski:
“Even the strongest sword breaks if swung blindly.”

Napoleon brushes him off.

In the final act, after the Russian disaster and exile to Elba, Napoleon makes his legendary return for the Hundred Days. Zrinski, now older, gathers the remnants of his Croat warriors for one final campaign.

At Waterloo, the epic climax unfolds. Napoleon and Wellington finally meet on the battlefield. Captain Zrinski leads a suicidal charge to break the British line.

Napoleon (watching Zrinski ride off):
“There goes my last lion.”

Wellington watches the carnage stoically, admiring the enemy’s courage even as he defeats him.

EPILOGUE – LEGACY
Napoleon is exiled to Saint Helena. He dictates his memoirs, calling Zrinski “the finest soldier I ever knew, and the last to believe in me when even I had begun to doubt.”

Wellington reflects at a quiet estate:

Wellington:
“He changed the world. But perhaps the Croat changed him.”

STYLE & THEMES
Visual tone: Sweeping, earthy realism akin to Gladiator and 1917, with philosophical undertones like The Thin Red Line.

Themes: Destiny vs. discipline. Charisma vs. loyalty. The thin line between greatness and madness.

Musical score: Hans Zimmer or Ludwig Göransson, blending revolutionary marches with Balkan war chants.

MARKETING HOOKS:
“Tom Cruise is Napoleon in his most commanding role yet.”

“Based on the definitive biography of a man who reshaped the world.”

“Featuring the forgotten Croat warriors who bled for empire.”

TAGLINE:
“He conquered Europe. But only destiny could conquer him.”