Ridley Scott’s historical film gladiator (2000) is known for its iconic scenes, dialogue and impeccable performances. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix in particular have shone with their performances and received much praise. But filming epics brings its own challenges, especially for the actors portraying Roman heroes.
Phoenix played Commodus, the ambitious son of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. His menacing aura and amazing dialogue earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2001 Oscars. Behind the scenes of the epic, however, the actor had to work very hard to perfect his role. His physical limitations led the director to label him fat, so he went weeks without eating.
Ridley Scott’s only comment that sparked 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 and is no stranger to playing evil villains. But this role of a corrupt Roman emperor has been marred by some potentially dangerous changes.
According to trivia (according to IMDb), the director was not a fan of Phoenix’s physique; he found the actor fat. Although the joker Although the actor thought the emperor should appear lenient, this did not correspond to his director’s vision.
Ridley says you’re fat.
At this point, Scott shared his opinion with the production manager, who in turn conveyed it to the actor. Phoenix was initially hurt and went to the director to justify his attitude. When he was rebuffed, he decided to starve himself for weeks.
I’ve heard I look like a little fat hamster. I thought that was the right thing to do. I’m the Emperor of Rome, why shouldn’t I look a little more lavish?
The actor believed that the spoiled and decadent son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius should exude a sense of debauchery and excess, but as his vision was met with rejection, he showed his extreme devotion to the craft by choosing to restrict his food intake for weeks.
The dark side of perfectionism: fat shaming
This extreme measure by Phoenix raises concerns about the pressure to meet unrealistic physical expectations in Hollywood. The actor’s ongoing fat discrimination, which resulted in him not eating for weeks, was not only physically dangerous but also emotionally draining.
According to the stories on the set of the film (according to LeftLion) Hotel Rwanda The actor ended up being extremely nervous and shaky. He was so focused on improving his body through dietary restrictions that he was unable to perform.
Ultimately, it was his co-actors Richard Harris and Russell Crowe who came to his rescue. The actors took it upon themselves to help Phoenix overcome his nerves by getting him blackout drunk. Despite this tumultuous experience, his portrayal of Commodus garnered widespread critical acclaim.
Gladiator’The success of Signs is due in part to the actor’s compelling portrayal of the Emperor’s complexity, charisma and cruelty. The film’s epic scope, coupled with Phoenix’s captivating presence, cemented its place as one of the greatest historical dramas.
gladiator will be available on Amazon Prime Video from August 18, 2024.
