Director Ridley Scott returned to ancient Rome for the upcoming Gladiator II, arriving more than two decades after the original starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. When looking back on the first installment, Scott didn't exactly think the vibes on set between the two stars were the best.

Nearly 25 years later, 'Gladiator' director Ridley Scott revealed that Joaquin Phoenix almost backed out of his Oscar-nominated role.

Ridley Scott revealed that Barry Keoghan had to leave 'Gladiator II' for 'Saltburn.' Keoghan tells IndieWire what happened.

Scott addressed the topic in a new interview with The New York Times, in which he was actually discussing Barry Keoghan, who had to drop out of Gladiator II. “Barry is one of the good ones, the same level as Joaquin Phoenix and Paul.

Joaquin Phoenix nearly gave up his villainous role of Commodus in the original “Gladiator.” While discussing the cult classic’s upcoming sequel with the New York Times, director Ridley Scott revealed Phoenix had to be convinced to stay on the film after threatening to drop out at the last minute.

"Gladiator" director Ridley Scott recently told The New York Times (via Entertainment Weekly) that Russell Crowe told Joaquin Phoenix he was being "terribly unprofessional" on set when Phoenix was getting cold feet and had to be convinced to stay on the movie.

Director Ridley Scott, in an interview with "The New York Times," confessed that Joaquin Phoenix had many doubts during the filming of "Gladiator," which drew criticism from Russell Crowe. The director of "Gladiator,

As he said he was planning to quit the project, Joaquin Phoenix was told he was being “unprofessional” by Russell Crowe on the set of ‘Gladiator’.