Brian Cox labels Joaquin Phoenix “terrible” in recent release
After starring in the famed historical epic Napoleon and a productive 2024 on the horizon, Joaquin Phoenix has been given some harsh criticism around his performance by actor Brian Cox.
In a recent interview with The Standard, Cox said that Phoenix’s portrayal of the famous French ruler was not to his liking, saying, “A truly terrible performance by Joaquin Phoenix. It really is appalling. I don’t know what he was thinking. I think it’s totally his fault and I don’t think Ridley Scott helps him”.
This also marked Scott’s return to the realm of historical drama after working on 2021’s The Last Duel. Phoenix and Scott had always had a firm working relationship, with the young actor playing the emperor in the film Gladiator opposite Russell Crowe.
That wasn’t the only historical piece that Cox took issue with. Further in the interview, he also had harsh words for the Mel Gibson epic Braveheart as well, explaining, “Mel Gibson was wonderful, but it’s a load of lies. He never impregnated the French princess. It is a bollocks, that film”.
Of course, this is far from the first time Cox has been candid about his opinion of other actors. Throughout his time on Succession, he had made it clear that he had no respect for actors’ approaches to method acting, often calling Jeremy Strong annoying when he tried to incorporate that acting method into his performance.
Despite a few harsh words, Phoenix has rarely let any of his detractors slow him down. Ever since working on the drama alongside the Ari Aster existential comedy Beau is Afraid, Phoenix is also set to reprise his role as Arthur Fleck in the movie Joker 2: Folie a Deux, where he stars opposite Lady Gaga.
Ever since Succession wrapped up its final season, Cox has been known for serving as the host of the TV show 007: Road to a Million in 2023 and has most recently starred in the coming-of-age movie Little Wing.
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