GLADIATOR - PHOENIX'S PRANK ENDS WITH HEATED SITUATION

GLADIATOR star JOAQUIN PHOENIX learned the hard way not to play pranks on director JAY RUSSELL, after the film-maker sought wicked revenge on him.

While filming new movie LADDER 49 with JOHN TRAVOLTA, 29-year-old Phoenix decided to play a small prank on Russell, but he soon ended up in a much worse situation.

Phoenix says, "Jay and I started a little war. I got shoe polish and I put it on his headphones. The crew was trying not to laugh because he had these circles over his face.

"He laced my entire turnout gear (firefighting coat and pants) with a (hot) balm. And I couldn't get out if it because we didn't finish the scene. It burned."