Joaquin Phoenix Tried to Drop Out of OriginalGladiator, Recalls Director Ridley Scott: 'I Can't Do It'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix in 2000’s Gladiator.Photo:Getty;Shutterstock

Getty;Shutterstock

According to directorRidley Scott,Joaquin Phoenixnearly dropped out of 2000’sGladiator.

While Scott, 86, spoke withThe New York Timesabout his new sequelGladiator IIin an interview published Thursday, Nov. 7, reporter Kyle Buchanan asked to confirm a story he heard that Phoenix, 50, had to be convinced to stay on the project.

“He was in his prince’s outfit saying, ‘I can’t do it.’ I said, ‘What?’ " Scott recalled. “AndRussell [Crowe]said, ‘This is terribly unprofessional.’ "

When asked how he went about persuading the actor to remain with the production, Scott said, “I can act as a big brother or dad. But I’m quite a friend of Joaquin’s.Gladiatorwas a baptism of fire for both of us in the beginning.”

Joaquin Phoenix and Ridley Scott on Nov. 20, 2023.Jose Oliva/Europa Press via Getty

Jose Oliva/Europa Press via Getty

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The question regarding Phoenix came up as Scott discussed actorBarry Keoghan, who was at one point locked to play a prominent antagonist role inGladiator II.The director said that Keoghan dropped out in order to film the 2023 movieSaltburninstead.

“I think that’s maybe the best film I’ve seen this year,” Scott said ofSaltburn. “Anyway, Barry is one of the good ones, the same level as Joaquin Phoenix and [Gladiator IIstarPaul Mescal]. Barry is so complex and actually has it under control. I know he’s a bit of a challenge, but it’s worth it. Like deciding on Joaquin, it’s worth it.”

Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator’.Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

Oscar-winner Phoenix made headlines in August when hedropped out of a projectwith director Todd Haynes days before it was scheduled to begin filming.

The actor declined to share his reasoning for the departure during aVenice Film Festivalpress conference Sept. 4 while he promotedJoker: Folie à Deux, saying he did not “feel like that would be right” to share his reasonings without the filmmakers involved available to speak about their side of the situation.

Gladiator IIis in theaters Nov. 22.

source: people.com