Sure, Joaquin Phoenix was able to stroll away from Napoleon, even with cameras able to roll. His demand? A script rewrite by none aside from The Grasp’s director, Paul Thomas Anderson.
The surprising ultimatum had Hollywood buzzing. In line with reviews, Phoenix wasn’t bought on the script by David Scarpa, regardless of the star energy of Scott helming the movie. Enter Anderson, who stepped in, smoothing issues over with revisions that finally saved Phoenix within the titular position. With the rewrite full, Napoleon hit theaters in late 2023, grossing $221 million globally and nabbing Oscar nods in technical classes.
Ridley Scott, talking concerning the drama, appeared unbothered on reflection. “Tommy was doing Licorice Pizza, advising me find out how to do Napoleon,” he mentioned in a New York Instances interview. “It become a number of enjoyable, truly. Three of us on this room screaming with laughter.” Disaster averted—or so it appeared.
Joaquin’s knack for second-guessing himself is virtually legend at this level. His latest exit from Todd Haynes’ queer drama—simply 5 days earlier than manufacturing—left solid, crew, and producers scrambling. That challenge, which Phoenix spearheaded from its inception, targeted on a Nineteen Thirties homosexual romance with Prime Gun: Maverick’s Danny Ramirez set to co-star. With its express content material and NC-17 ranking ambitions, the movie appeared destined for controversy even earlier than Phoenix’s sudden departure shut it down utterly.
It’s a sample. Again in 2000, throughout Gladiator, Phoenix practically bailed on his position because the conniving Commodus. “He was in his prince’s outfit saying, ‘I can’t do it,’” Scott recalled, including that co-star Russell Crowe wasn’t thrilled. “Russell mentioned, ‘That is terribly unprofessional.’” Phoenix stayed, after all, and earned an Oscar nomination for his unforgettable efficiency.
Phoenix’s tendency to bolt isn’t nearly nerves—although he’s admitted to being “petrified” earlier than beginning initiatives. As he instructed 60 Minutes, he worries he gained’t discover the “proper form of place to precise” his concepts. That want for artistic alignment typically leads to last-minute calls for, and someway, the trade retains bending for him.
Even Napoleon wasn’t resistant to his perfectionism. The movie finally earned reward for its sweeping visuals and powerhouse performances, with critics brushing apart the drama behind the scenes. Scott even teased a four-hour reduce for Apple TV+, proving the film had extra to supply than simply on-set fireworks.
Whereas Todd Haynes’ canceled challenge sparked whispers of blackballing, few imagine Phoenix will face lasting fallout. With the discharge of Joker: Folie à Deux on the horizon, Phoenix’s profession stays bulletproof. Trade insiders counsel he’ll settle any monetary disputes rapidly, given his hefty Joker paychecks.
The underside line? Phoenix’s brilliance comes with a price. For some filmmakers, it’s value each nail-biting second. As Scott put it, working with Phoenix is sort of a “baptism of fireside”—however one which’s typically adopted by cinematic glory.
Phoenix’s behind-the-scenes affect on Napoleon additionally prolonged past script calls for. Sources say he collaborated carefully with Ridley Scott on character improvement, even pushing for unscripted moments to floor Napoleon’s eccentricity in realism.
For extra such tales, try Hollywood Information.
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