Joaquin Phoenix slapped 'Napoleon' co-star Vanessa Kirby – because she said he could

Oscar winner Phoenix (left) plays the titular role in Ridley Scott's biopic about the French military commander and Kirby plays his wife, Josephine de Beauharnais. Photo: Handout, AP

Joaquin Phoenix unexpectedly slapped Vanessa Kirby while shooting a scene for Napoleon.

It was done, he said, to maintain an element of surprise. And, surprisingly, Kirby had actually given her consent.