Gladiator director Ridley Scott says he had to persuade Joaquin Phoenix to stay on the first film, after the Joker star threatened to quit.

Phoenix, 50, played corrupt Roman emperor Commodus in the first film and was nominated for an Oscar for his performance.

Scott told the New York Times: “(Joaquin) was in his prince outfit and said, ‘I can’t do it’ – I said, ‘What?’ And Russell (Crowe) said, ‘That’s totally unprofessional.’

The 86-year-old filmmaker said he used his proximity to Phoenix to persuade him to stay.

“I can act like a big brother or a father. But I’m more of a friend to Joaquín. Gladiator was a baptism of fire for both of us at the beginning,” he said.

Scott and Phoenix also worked together in 2023 on the historical film Napoleon, in which Phoenix played the role of the wayward French general.

Gladiator II picks up 20 years after the original film, which won four Academy Awards.

It marks Paul Mescalthe first major studio film, play Roman warrior Lucius Veruswho is also Maximus’ secret son and a childish character from the original film.

Mescal previously said Scott offered him the role after an informal meeting lasting about a half-hour.

Russell Crowe: “A Tint of Jealousy”

But the sequel doesn’t star the Australian actor Russell Crowewho won an Oscar for his original performance in 2000, but whose character died at the end of the first film.

Scott told The New York Times that while there were discussions with Crowe about bringing his character back from the dead, it ultimately didn’t work out.

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Crowe told Sky News this summer: “I feel old. That’s how I feel… That period of my life, you know, was a huge change. Everything went a bit crazy for a while.

“I have very fond memories of (Gladiator). And, to be completely honest, there is a hint of jealousy because I certainly would have liked to be, you know, 35, 36 years old, in some way, to be able to relive that kind of experience.”

Sky News has contacted Phoenix and Crowe for comment.

Scott also revealed Barry Keoghan was originally scheduled to appear in the sequel as a villain, but a conflict with Saltburn’s filming ruled him out of the role.

Gladiator II also stars Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Sir Derek Jacobi. It is released in UK cinemas on Friday 15 November.