Get the latest gossip
Ridley Scott Recalls Joaquin Phoenix Nearly Quit ‘Gladiator’
Nearly 25 years later, 'Gladiator' director Ridley Scott revealed that Joaquin Phoenix almost backed out of his Oscar-nominated role.
Although Phoenix does not reprise his role for Gladiator II, which premieres Nov. 22 in theaters, he and Scott reunited on last year’s Napoleon, which starred the Oscar winner as the eponymous Bonaparte. Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, who previously witnessed Maximus (portrayed in the original by Crowe) die at the hands of his uncle Commodus (Phoenix) in the first movie. The sequel also stars Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucius’ mother Lucilla from the original movie.
Or read this on Deadline
