With 2022 barely a week old, Jodie Comer fans have learned some disappointing news regarding the beloved Liverpudlian actress’s next project.

The multi-award winning star of Killing Eve and Free Guy has been forced to drop out of playing Empress Joséphine in Ridley Scott’s historical biopic Kitbag owing to scheduling conflicts.

Jodie confirmed the news while doing the Awards Chatter podcast with The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg.

“Unfortunately, due to COVID and changes of schedule, I don’t think I can make Kitbag work right now due to a scheduling conflict”.

She was unable to commit to the project owing to rehearsals for her upcoming stage production Prima Facie, which runs from April until June.

Jodie had recently worked with Scott on the historical drama The Last Duel (2021) alongside Hollywood big-hitters Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Though the film was a box-office disappointment, she deservedly received strong praise for her performance as noblewoman Marguerite de Carrouges.

Despite the blow of losing Jodie, Scott has quickly found a solid replacement in prestige British actress Vanessa Kirby. The Wimbledon-born starlet recently landed a first Oscar nomination for her devastating turn as a grieving mother in the drama Pieces of a Woman (2020).

Vanessa will play Empress Joséphine opposite Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator, Joker) who tackles the pivotal role of French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte.

As previously stated, filming on Kitbag will commence at the end of January, with a release date on Apple set for early 2023.

In the meantime, Jodie fans can look forward to seeing her farewell turn as Russian assassin Villanelle in the final series of Killing Eve, which airs from 27 February.