Joaquin Phoenix Shocked Russell Crowe with ‘Unprofessional’ Behavior

Joaquin Phoenix recently made headlines when he dropped out of a planned gay romance film with director Todd Haynes at the last minute, adding to his reputation for being temperamental on set. His collaborators have noted that Phoenix can sometimes be difficult to work with, even on projects he ultimately completes, such as the 2000 film Gladiator, where he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Commodus.

While Phoenix’s portrayal of the villainous emperor was widely praised, he was reportedly unsure about the role during filming. Director Ridley Scott shared a memory of Phoenix, dressed in his prince’s costume, expressing his inability to continue with the role. This left his co-star Russell Crowe frustrated, calling it "terribly unprofessional." However, Scott showed understanding and support for Phoenix’s struggles.

Scott referred to the Gladiator production as a challenging experience for both him and Phoenix, describing it as a "baptism of fire." The film, inspired by the famous painting Pollice Verso (Thumbs Down), centers on Maximus, a Roman general betrayed by Commodus. Despite the behind-the-scenes tension, Gladiator became a massive success, with Crowe winning an Oscar for his performance and the film taking home Best Picture.

Phoenix later opened up about his nerves on the Gladiator set, admitting that the sheer scale of the production, with its vast sets and large crowds, left him feeling overwhelmed. In an effort to ease his anxiety, he went to Ridley Scott, who responded by letting Phoenix act for hours without actually filming. This gave Phoenix time to relax and settle into the role without the pressure of wasting film.

When Phoenix and Scott reunited for Napoleon, the actor once again had doubts about the project. Director Paul Thomas Anderson, who had previously worked with Phoenix on The Master and Inherent Vice, stepped in to help with uncredited rewrites on the script. His involvement helped alleviate some of Phoenix’s concerns.

Scott reflected that the collaborative process on Napoleon became surprisingly fun, with Anderson advising him on the film while working on his own project, Licorice Pizza. Their lively interactions likely contributed to the comedic undertones in the portrayal of the relationship between Napoleon and Josephine (played by Vanessa Kirby), which many have compared to the quirky dynamics of Anderson’s Phantom Thread.