Ridley Scott speaks on Joaquin Phoenix trying to quitGladiatorin the middle of the filmmaking process. Phoenix played the key character, Commodus, inScott’s historical epicthat was released in 2000.The actor’s performance in the role was praised, even earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The epic movie also received five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Russell Crowe. Neither Crowe nor Phoenix are slated to appear in the upcoming sequel,Gladiator II.
Speaking withThe New York Times, Scottrecounted that Phoenix nearly quitGladiator. The director recalled that Phoenix was on set, fully adorned in his period costume when he declared “I can’t do it.” Scott was shocked, and his co-star Crowe stepped in to say that the movie was “terribly unprofessional.” Check out the full quote from Scott below:
He was in his prince’s outfit saying, “I can’t do it.” I said, “What?” And Russell said, “This is terribly unprofessional.”
When asked how he kept the actor on the project, Scottsimply mentioned that he is “quite a friend of Joaquin’s.”
I can act as a big brother or dad. But I’m quite a friend of Joaquin’s. “Gladiator” was a baptism of fire for both of us in the beginning.
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If Phoenix had quitGladiatormid-filming, it would have been catastrophic for the production. The scale of the historical epic was massive,boasting an estimated budget of over $100 million. While Scott didn’t clarify how far he was intoGladiatorbefore Phoenix got cold feet, any amount of reshoots would have been costly. Scott was fortunate that he had a strong existing rapport with Phoenix, as that is likely what saved the film.
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Not all major productions involving Phoenix have been this fortunate, considering the actor’s fickle attitude towards the works he takes on. Just this year,Phoenix bowed out of aTodd Haynes projectjust five days before the project was supposed to film. With all the preparations already made, this had derailed Haynes' production, and Phoenix’s actions subsequently sparked outrage in Hollywood. Scott’sGladiatoraccount exemplifies that the actor has a history of creating uncertainty on set.
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Gladiatorwas filmed over 20 years ago, meaning Phoenix’s poor on-set conduct has been an issue for a while now. This makes it shocking that he has stayed as active in the industry as he has been. At the same time, the increasingly negative reputation that Phoenix is getting in Hollywood could jeopardize his future career opportunities or even the upcoming awards season. He won an Academy Award forJoker, but betweenJoker: Folie a Deux’s mixed reviewsand his reputation, the actor may be unlikely to see an Oscar any time soon.
Gladiator
Cast
Gladiator follows Maximus, a Roman general betrayed by the new emperor Commodus. After escaping execution, he is enslaved and becomes a gladiator. Set in ancient Rome, the story portrays his struggle for survival and quest for vengeance as he battles for his freedom in the arena.
