Brian Cox, known for his role in “Succession,” is not one to shy away from expressing his honest opinions. During a recent event at London’s HistFest, the actor passionately discussed various topics, including politics, theater critics, and Ridley Scott’s film “Napoleon.”
“It’s absolutely awful,” expressed Cox when sharing his thoughts on the Oscar-nominated historical drama, as reported by The Standard. “Joaquin Phoenix’s performance was truly terrible. It’s truly shocking. I can’t understand what he was thinking. I firmly believe that it’s entirely his fault, and Ridley Scott doesn’t assist him in any way. If I were in his place, I would have portrayed the character much better than Joaquin Phoenix did, I can assure you that. Some may argue that it’s good drama, but I strongly disagree—it’s nothing but a web of lies.”
Cox pondered over Phoenix’s name, remarking, “I believe he is aptly named. Joaquin… wackeen… wacky. It’s quite a whimsical performance.”
Cox expressed his concern about the compromise of historical accuracy in favor of creating blockbuster films. This tension was frequently addressed by Scott during the press tour for “Napoleon.” In fact, the director even dismissed historical fact checkers in an interview with The New Yorker, telling them to “get a life.”
According to Cox, the movie “Braveheart” is complete nonsense. He specifically criticizes Mel Gibson’s 1995 historical epic and dismisses it as a collection of lies. Cox acknowledges Gibson’s performance but asserts that the film’s portrayal of impregnating the French princess is fictional. In his opinion, the film is nothing but “bollocks.”
Cox spoke at HistFest, a two-day event that celebrates the combination of arts, academics, and history. His appearance aimed to promote his lead role in the West End production of “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.”
When questioned about the comparison between his theater role and “Succession’s” Logan Roy, he expressed his disagreement, stating, “It’s a foolish comparison to make. It’s so evident. Many critics are unintelligent, honestly. The quality of theater criticism has significantly declined. When you think about the brilliant critics of the past, there’s simply no one who can measure up to them today. It’s because these current critics fail to do their research.”
And, naturally, a Cox rant wouldn’t be complete without him venting about method acting. He often brings up this topic when questioned about his “Succession” co-star Jeremy Strong’s intense approach.
According to Cox, the idea of actors being able to fully embody characters off-camera is nonsense. Instead, he believes that actors are transmitters, conveying energy through their performances. Cox emphasizes the importance of research when preparing for a role, stating that doing one’s homework is a crucial aspect of the craft. By immersing oneself in the subject matter and learning everything about the character, actors are able to build a comprehensive picture of who they are portraying.
In addition to his remarks on technology, Cox also expressed his thoughts on politics. He subtly suggested that his stay in America might be cut short due to the restrictive abortion laws and the potential re-election of Donald Trump as president.
“It’s incredibly challenging to govern America, and having someone like Trump in power only adds to the difficulty,” Cox expressed. “While I do believe that Biden is a decent individual, I have concerns about his age.”
Cox expressed his intention to leave the United States if Trump is re-elected, stating, “I probably will.”
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