“Succession” actor Brian Cox had some words of criticism for Joaquin Phoenixsaying he would have done a better job as the lead in Ridley Scott’s historical drama”Napoleon.”

The 77-year-old actor called Phoenix’s performance “terrible” at London’s HistFest, according to The standard.

“A truly terrible performance by Joaquin Phoenix,” Cox said. “He is really scary. I don’t know what he was thinking. I think it’s totally his fault and I don’t think Ridley Scott will help him. He would have played it much better than Joaquin Phoenix, I assure you. You can say it’s a good drama. They are not lies”.

And he added: “I think it has a good name. Joaquín… crazy… crazy. He is kind of an extravagant performer.”

The “Succession” star also lamented the historical inaccuracies present in films in general. “’Braveheart’ is a load of nonsense,” the actor said of the 1995 film starring Mel Gibson, in which Cox also appeared. “Mel Gibson was wonderful, but he’s a bunch of lies. He never got the French princess pregnant. “That movie is nonsense.”

Scott previously responded harshly to French critics who criticized his film.

“Like all history, it has been reported. Napoleon dies and, ten years later, someone writes a book. Then someone takes that book and writes another one and, 400 years later, there’s a lot of imagination (in history books),” Scott told The Times in November 2023, as The Daily Wire previously reported. reported.

“When I have problems with historians, I ask them: ‘Excuse me, friend, were you there?’ No? Well, shut the fuck up then,’” she added.

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“Napoleon” has grossed $221 million worldwide and received mixed reviews from critics. The film was praised for having realistic battle sequences and acting, but was criticized for historical inaccuracies in the narrative.

It was nominated for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards.

Scott said he was torn between Phoenix and another unnamed actor to play the lead role, but was “impressed” by Phoenix’s performance in “Joker” (2019) and ultimately decided that Phoenix would be an “incredible asset” for the film.