Ridley Scott Reflects on Tensions Between Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix During 'Gladiator' Filming
Russell Crowe , Joaquin PhoenixRidley Scott, the renowned director behind the acclaimed film "Gladiator", has opened up about some behind-the-scenes tensions that arose during the filming of the 2000 historical epic. In a series of recent interviews timed with the release of the much-anticipated sequel "Gladiator II", Scott shared insights into the challenges faced on set, particularly involving lead actors Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
Set to hit theaters on November 22, "Gladiator II" has been eagerly awaited by fans for over two decades, ever since the original film captivated audiences and went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Reflecting on the original production, Scott recounted an incident where Joaquin Phoenix, who portrayed the film's antagonist Commodus, expressed doubts about his ability to perform a scene, leading to a terse exchange with co-star Russell Crowe. "Joaquin was in his prince's outfit saying, 'I can't do it,'" Scott recalled. "I said, 'What?' And Russell said, 'This is terribly unprofessional.'"
Despite the rocky start, Scott emphasized that the experience ultimately strengthened his relationship with Phoenix. "Gladiator was a baptism of fire for both of us in the beginning", he noted. The director's friendship with Phoenix has endured, with the two collaborating again on the recent film "Napoleon".
Scott's comments shed light on Phoenix's reputation within the industry as a challenging, yet highly dedicated actor. Known for his method acting approach, Phoenix has occasionally been described as difficult to work with, reportedly having walked off another project shortly before filming was set to begin.
Nonetheless, Scott's reflections on the initial "Gladiator" experience highlight the transformative nature of the film, not only for its cast but for audiences worldwide. As anticipation builds for the sequel's release, with its own star-studded cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, "Gladiator II" is already generating significant Oscar buzz and has been hailed by critics as a potential cinematic triumph.
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