Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix could have shared electrifying on-screen chemistry within the 2000 film “Gladiator,” but behind the scenes, things didn’t at all times go easily.
In keeping with director Ridley Scott, Crowe initially found Phoenix’s behavior “terribly unprofessional” in the course of the early days of filming—something that reportedly stemmed from Phoenix’s discomfort with entering into the extraordinary, high-stakes world of the Roman arena.
Now 50 and 60 respectively, Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe ultimately delivered iconic performances that helped make “Gladiator” a cinematic classic.
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Ridley Scott Recalls Tension On The Set Of ‘Gladiator’
In an interview with The Recent York Times ahead of “Gladiator II”‘s release, Ridley Scott reflected on the rocky start between his two lead actors.
Tensions surfaced as Phoenix, forged because the complex and twisted Roman Emperor Commodus, grappled with the extraordinary pressure of the role. Meanwhile, Crowe, who played Maximus—a fierce general-turned-slave on a quest for revenge—fully embodied the strength and determination required for his character. Crowe’s deep immersion in his role contrasted sharply with Phoenix’s initial hesitations, leading Crowe to perceive his co-star’s behavior as “unprofessional.”
“[Joaquin] was in his prince’s outfit saying, ‘I can’t do it,’” Scott recalled to the Times. “I said, ‘What?’ And Russell said, ‘This is extremely unprofessional.’”
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Ridley Scott Tried To Help Joaquin Phoenix Calm Down When Filming ‘Gladiator’
Scott shared that he did every thing possible to calm Phoenix’s nerves and ensure he stayed on set.
“I can act as an enormous brother or dad. But I’m quite a friend of Joaquin’s,” he said. “‘Gladiator’ was a baptism of fireplace for each of us at first.”
Despite the on-set tensions, Gladiator went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
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Joaquin Phoenix Said He Nearly Quit ‘Gladiator’
Talking to Collider in 2018, Phoenix opened up about his initial hesitations on the “Gladiator” set.
“I absolutely have that nervousness on every movie…but I feel that probably ‘Gladiator’ was some of the intimidating because the primary set that I went on was just massive,” the actor said. “It looked prefer it was acres of land, and tons of trucks and trailers and, you realize, a whole lot of extras, and multiple cameras.”
He added, “Suddenly the size of this hit me and I used to be overwhelmed by that. I didn’t think that I used to be going to have the option to make it through that.”
The truth is, Pheonix said he was near backing out of the project.
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“I went to [Scott] and said, ‘I don’t know what to do, I just can’t do that. I don’t know what you’re gonna do. This just isn’t gonna be possible,’” Phoenix said. “And Ridley was really smart. He just shot me for 4 hours and he didn’t put film within the camera…he wasn’t gonna waste film. He’s like, ‘It’s gonna be hours before this kid f-cking gets anything, if in any respect, so I’m not gonna waste film.’”
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‘Gladiator II’ Will Not Star Joaquin Phoenix Or Russell Crowe
Neither Phoenix nor Crowe will return for the sequel, which is ready to release on November 22.
As a substitute, it would star Paul Mescal as Lucius, son of Maximus, who’s forced back into the gladiator arena like his father after his wife is killed. Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington may also star within the movie.
“I used to be running off the drawbridge, they usually type of dressed it with some dust in order that when it slams against the fortified wall, there’s an enormous puff of smoke, of dust. And I’m charging off the drawbridge and jumping over the wall, and I slip,” Pascal recalled when filming. “I literally bounce off the drawbridge on my ass and land splat in front of Paul’s feet on the primary take.”
Referencing the long-lasting line from “Gladiator,” Pascal recalled turning to his co-star and jokingly saying, “Are you not entertained?”
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Paul Mescal Opens Up About Filming ‘Gladiator II’
Mescal revealed that, for nearly six months, he followed an intensive regimen involving strength training, fight choreography, horseback riding, and sword-fighting practice to arrange for his role before entering into the sector.
“I loved how distinct the fights are from one another, and what I’m really happy with is how you may feel the buildup of the violence on his body because the film progresses,” Mescal told EW. “The fights aren’t like slick swordplay. You may feel towards the tip what Lucius says — it’s about survival. It’s like your body’s going to build up all this punishment. And it’s about holding onto that because the film progresses.”
