Ridley Scott speaks on Joaquin Phoenix trying to quit Gladiator in the middle of the filmmaking process. Phoenix played key character, Commodus, in Scott’s historical epic that was released in 2000. The actor’s performance in the role was praised, and he even received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Gladiator itself went on to receive five Oscars, including for Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Russell Crowe. Neither Crowe nor Phoenix are slated to appear in the upcoming sequel Gladiator II.
