Actor Joaquin Phoenix, known for his villainous role Commodus in "Gladiator," almost dropped out of the film, director Ridley Scott shared.

Ridley Scott recalled Joaquin Phoenix saying 'I can’t do it' at one point during the production of 2000's original 'Gladiator' movie, and Russell Crowe saying, according to Scott, 'This is terribly unprofessional.

Joaquin Phoenix tried quitting “Gladiator” mid-shoot before being persuaded to stay by Ridley Scott, the director said in an interview published Thursday. Ahead of the film’s sequel, “Gladiator II,” Scott told the New York Times that Phoenix ...