Russell Crowe apparently called out his Gladiator co-star Joaquin Phoenix, accusing him of 'unprofessional' behaviour on the set of the historical epic.
Crowe and Phoenix starred opposite each other in Ridley Scott's 2000 film, playing the roles of hero Maximus and antagonist Roman emperor Commodus respectively.
The movie was a huge success, winning an Oscar for Best Picture and a Best Actor nod for Crowe, while Phoenix also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
However Scott has now revealed the film very nearly didn't become the classic we all know and love - thanks to some serious last minute nerves from the Joker star.
Ridley Scott revealed the anecdote ahead of his Gladiator sequel (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
During an interview to promote the upcoming sequel Gladiator II - which stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal - with the The New York Times, Scott revealed how Phoenix had gotten cold feet about the role after getting into costume.
"He was in his prince’s outfit saying, 'I can’t do it.' I said, 'What?'," Scott recalled.
Thankfully Scott was able to talk the actor back into playing the role, adding: "I can act as a big brother or dad. But I’m quite a friend of Joaquin’s.
"Gladiator was a baptism of fire for both of us in the beginning."
However this behaviour had left a sour taste in Crowe's mouth, with Scott recalling how the Les Misérables actor telling Phoenix: "This is terribly unprofessional."
Phoenix had reportedly gotten cold feet in costume (DreamWorks Pictures)
While Crowe and Phoenix have yet to work together on another project, Scott later teamed up with the actor on 2023 historical epic Napoleon - however he remained tight-lipped on whether or not Phoenix had gotten cold feet about that film too.
You might remember that earlier this year, Phoenix left an unnamed 1930s gay romance film directed by Todd Haynes just days before filming was scheduled to begin, with the project ultimately being scrapped altogether.
When asked about his decision to leave the role at the Venice Film Festival, Phoenix declined to share too much about his decision, saying: "It would just be sharing my opinion and the other creatives aren’t here to share their piece.
Crowe was not entertained (DreamWorks Pictures)
"It doesn’t feel like that would be right. I don’t think that would be helpful so I just don’t think I will. Thank you.”
Meanwhile James McAvoy also revealed he was cast last-minute in M. Night Shyamalan's 2016 film Split as a replacement for Phoenix.
LADbible Group has approached Joaquin Phoenix's representatives for comment.
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