Ridley Scott on Phoenix's Near Exit from Gladiator

Ridley Scott recently disclosed that Joaquin Phoenix almost abandoned the 2000 film 'Gladiator,' citing a crisis of confidence during filming. Phoenix was reportedly in his costume when he expressed his doubts, prompting co-star Russell Crowe to label his behavior as 'terribly unprofessional.' However, Scott, leveraging his close relationship with Phoenix, managed to persuade him to stay, a decision that later earned Phoenix an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Scott and Phoenix have since collaborated again on the 2023 film 'Napoleon.' The revelation comes amidst reports of Phoenix leaving a Todd Haynes project due to 'cold feet,' showcasing his occasional struggles with project commitments. Meanwhile, 'Gladiator II' is set to star Paul Mescal, with Ridley Scott expressing high praise for the cast, including Barry Keoghan, who had to drop out due to scheduling issues.