Joaquin Phoenix was called ‘unprofessional’ by Russell Crowe on Gladiator sets
Oscar winning-actor Joaquin Phoenix, who played the villainous Roman emperor Commodus in the 2000 film Gladiator, was told he was being ‘unprofessional’ by Russell Crowe on the sets of the Ridley Scott movie.
Scott, who has directed Gladiator II starring Paul Mescal, said, “Joaquin was in his prince’s outfit saying, ‘I can’t do it’. I said, ‘What?’ And Russell said, ‘This is terribly unprofessional’.” About how he convinced Phoenix to stay in the film, Scott said, “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.”
The film ended up winning five Oscars, including best picture. Phoenix and Scott later worked together in their careers for the 2023 historical drama Napoleon. Phoenix recently said one of his favourite things on sets was a lack of ego! He said that Lady Gaga, who was his co-star on Joker: Foile À Deux, displayed no diva tendencies when they were working together.
Meanwhi, Gladiator II is an epic historical action film. Serving as a sequel to Gladiator (2000), it stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.
Jacobi and Nielsen reprise their roles from the first film. Mescal portrays Lucius, the son of Maximus and Lucilla, who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded by the Roman army led by General Marcus Acacius. Lucius seeks revenge against Acacius and fights as a gladiator for Macrinus, a former slave who plans to overthrow the emperors Geta and Caracalla.
