Joaquin Phoenix was terrified on the set of 'Gladiator'...

Joaquin Phoenix recalls how young and inexperienced he was on the set of Ridley Scott's Gladiator and how the director helped him get comfortable.

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ReelBlend is CinemaBlend’s flagship podcast featuring CinemaBlend Managing Director Sean O’Connell, Fox 5 DC Entertainment Reporter Kevin McCarthy and Fox 32 Chicago Entertainment Reporter Jake Hamilton. Join them each week as they discuss the latest entertainment news, review new movies hitting the big screen and tell stories about working as entertainment journalists.

[spahhgurl]

Everything about that character was perfect. He was childish, loathsome, terrifying… weak. It was absolutely memorable and exactly what was needed.

[Komorebineeded]

He absolutely stole the show. I can't imagine anyone else playing that role.

[bubblebubbleblip]

it’s honestly really refreshing to hear an actor talk about feeling anxiety while performing. I think I assume the majority of actors become actors because it’s easy for them. It’s cool to hear someone say they had to overcome fear in order to perform.

[romilrh]

He was so nervous...and ended up giving one of the all-time greatest villain performances in cinema history.

[MsClaudiaDuran]

His nervousness served him. It made his villain character appear more unhinged and unpredictable.

[Miiiiiiighty]

He was terrified, but to this day it's still his best performance ever

[kilgoretrout]

That nervousness was perfect for the role. His character seemed as if he was terrified the whole time but trying to cover it up with a smile

[BaseDeltaZero]

Dude became a screen legend on this performance.

He gave us a truly pathetic, yet terrifying psychopath. Amazing actor.

[bodhiswayze]

River Phoenix must be looking down at his little brother, absolutely bursting with pride!

[DeyTookOurJobs]

He absolutely killed that role too. Every actor in the movie did but Joaquin and Russel were fantastic
I need to watch this again

[HRRY]

AND, he got nominated for an Oscar.
Gladiator is one of my all time favorite movies.

[Maxi.Dounut]

I think actors who are able to sucessfully portray hatable characters deserve so much praise.
Actors who play the most despicable characters usually turn out to be so super sweet and I have no idea how they even manage.

[teresaellis]

That is so cool of Ridley Scott. He understood the actor he was working with and helped Joaquin get the best performance possible.

[LPme]

It’s amazing he went from this performance early in his career to Joker 20 years later, really showed the transformation of his confidence as an actor on screen. Amazing.

[AsimKhan-oyei]

People talk about how great this movie is and it’s no doubt one of my all time favourite movies but a large reason for that is Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as the antagonist Commodus.

[CeasefireNow]

Whoever cast Joaquin as a Roman Emperor deserves an award. He looks just like some of the historical depictions. He gave a moving performance and his acting was believable. Really well done.

[smilingdog]

Joaquin nailed this role. He made the movie great and I say the Oscars ripped him off in a big way.

[scraperindustry]

Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus was just beautiful. He has this perfect mix of hateful jealousy but is also so stunningly handsome. Gladiator was such an amazing film

[rosslovesthedark]

he was absolutely phenomenal in this part, made my skin crawl

[Mark-gtyv]

IMO this is still the strongest role and best acting I’ve seen. His portrayal was absolutely terrifying