In a new interview with the New York Times timed to the upcoming release of the long-awaited sequel Gladiator II, director Ridley Scott shared a memory of Phoenix getting on costar Russell Crowe's nerves on the set of the original sword-and-sandals ...

Joaquin Phoenix nearly gave up his villainous role of Commodus in the original “Gladiator.” While discussing the cult classic’s upcoming sequel with the New York Times, director Ridley Scott revealed Phoenix had to be convinced to stay on the film after threatening to drop out at the last minute.

Director Ridley Scott reveals Joaquin Phoenix’s cold feet on Gladiator; Russell Crowe calls it ‘unprofessional

“Gladiator II,” Scott told the New York Times that Phoenix, who played the villainous emperor Commodus, had a moment where he said, “I can’t do it.” “What?’” Scott recalled as his reaction. “And Russell [Crowe] said, ‘This is terribly ...

Nearly 25 years later, 'Gladiator' director Ridley Scott revealed that Joaquin Phoenix almost backed out of his Oscar-nominated role.

Gladiator' was a "baptism of fire for both of us in the beginning," Ridley Scott said of how he and Joaquin Phoenix approached making the 2000 film According to director Ridley Scott, Joaquin Phoenix nearly dropped out of 2000's Gladiator.