Ridley Scott’s historical film Gladiator (2000) is remembered for its iconic scenes, dialogue, and impeccable cast. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix in particular aced their performances, which earned them high praise. But making epics comes with its own set of challenges, especially for the actors who were portraying Roman heroes.
Phoenix played Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius of Rome. His menacing aura, coupled with his amazing dialogue, earned him the nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2001 Oscars. However, behind the sets of the epic, the actor had to work very hard to perfect his role. His physical limitations led to the director calling him fat, due to which he didn’t eat for weeks.
Ridley Scott’s one comment, which sparked a change
Joaquin Phoenix’s iconic portrayal of Commodus in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is widely regarded as one of cinema’s most compelling villains. From Commodus to Joker, the actor is known as a perfectionist, no stranger to vicious villain roles. But this role of a corrupt Roman Emperor was marred with some potentially dangerous changes.
According to Trivia (as per IMDb), the director was not a fan of Phoenix’s physique; he thought the actor was fat. Though the Joker actor thought the Emperor should appear indulgent, it did not match his director’s vision.
Ridley says you’re fat.
This is when Scott communicated his opinion to the line producer, who then went on to convey it to the actor. Initially hurt, Phoenix did go to the director to justify his own stance, and on being refused, he chose to starve himself for weeks.
I hear I look like a little fat hamster. I thought it was the right thing to do. I’m the Emperor of Rome, why would I not look a little more debauched?
The actor believed that the spoiled and decadent son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius should exude a sense of debauchery and excess. But since his vision was objected to, he showed his extreme dedication to craft by choosing to restrict his food intake for weeks.
The dark side of perfectionism: fat-shaming
This extreme measure taken by Phoenix raises concerns about the pressure of meeting unrealistic physical expectations in Hollywood. The actor’s continued fat-shaming, leading to his not eating for weeks, was not only physically dangerous but also emotionally draining.
According to the tales on the set of the film (as per LeftLion), the Hotel Rwanda actor became extremely jittery and nervous by the end of it. He was so focused on improving his physique with dietary restrictions, that it led to him being unable to perform.
Ultimately, it was co-actors Richard Harris and Russell Crowe who came to his rescue. The actors took it upon themselves to help Phoenix get over his nerve by making him roaringly drunk. Despite this tumultuous experience, his performance as Commodus earned widespread critical acclaim.
Gladiator’s success can be attributed, in part, to the Signs actor’s riveting display of the Emperor’s complexity, charisma, and cruelty. The film’s epic scope, coupled with Phoenix’s captivating presence, solidified its place as one of the greatest historical dramas.
Gladiator is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video as of August 18, 2024.
