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Russell Crowe Called Joaquin Phoenix 'Unprofessional' on ‘Gladiator’ Set

‘Gladiator’ director Ridley Scott recalled how nervous Joaquin Phoenix was on set of the 2000 historical epic,and how Russell Crowe didn’t have the patience for it

GladiatorCover ImagesScott, 86, spoke with The New York Times ahead of the November 22 release of Gladiator II, where he recalled the first days of filming the 2000 historical epic. Phoenix, 50, played the Roman emperor Commodus, opposite Crowe’s Maximus, a general-turned-slave who rises through the gladiatorial ranks looking for revenge. Phoenix helped Haynes and Jon Raymond develop the screenplay before Variety reported he got “cold feet.” The outlet speculated that if the film cannot be recast, then the production could lose up to seven figures.

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