Anthony Hopkins Calls Marvel Acting Pointless
Anthony Hopkins expresses some harsh opinions regarding Marvel in a recent interview.
Known as one of the biggest names in Hollywood, two-time Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins has a bone to pick with Marvel. During his decades-spanning career, the actor has played a slew of characters but he said that it was his role as Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) father Odin that were the worst of it all. During an interview with The New Yorker, Hopkins said that “sitting in front of a green screen” was “pointless acting.” Working for directors including Kenneth Branagh, Alan Taylor, and Taika Waititi may be a major selling point for any star, but for Hopkins, nothing could replace the emptiness he felt.
“They put me in armour; they shoved a beard on me,” Sir Anthony Hopkins recalled, honestly sounding a bit traumatized by the entire experience. He went on to say that his directions were to “Sit on the throne, shout a bit,” which, we must say, he absolutely nailed. While Anthony Hopkins’ time in the Marvel movies may have left a bad taste in his mouth, the studio no doubt paid a man of his caliber a pretty penny for his costumed dress up and loud speaking from a seated position.
We’re in no way coming after Anthony Hopkins for his negative experiences with Marvel but when it comes down to it, he’s spreading his name to a younger generation who may now have their eyes opened to the legendary star’s other classics. We couldn’t all be teenagers when Silence of the Lambs or Bram Stoker’s Dracula were released, but imagine the wonder and amazement that the next generation will have in their eyes when they’re forced to watch these classics and recognize Hannibal the cannibal as Odin!
And, if he was worried about being in good company, Anthony Hopkins is just one of the legendary names now associated with Marvel. This year, the iconic Angela Bassett did the thing in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, earning herself an Academy Award for her role as the Queen of Wakanda. For being so looked down upon, the studio sure has brought in a slew of talent that also includes the likes of Paul Rudd, Chris Evans, Michael Douglas, Brie Larson, Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., and so many more.
But, just as Anthony Hopkins isn’t alone in the long list of award-winning names associated with Marvel Studios, he’s also not alone in throwing some shade at them. Many directors, from Martin Scorcese to Quentin Tarantino have come out against the superhero films, claiming that they’re single-handedly destroying the way that people take in movies. It seems that a line has been drawn in the sand when it comes to those who can appreciate a good superhero film with a solid plot and character growth and those who just see it as another explosive action feature.
Anthony Hopkins’s final appearance in the Marvel universe was with 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, a film that saw his character disintegrate to Valhalla only to unleash hell in the form of his daughter Hela (Cate Blanchett) upon his people. While his appearances in the franchise waned as time went on, whether he likes it or not, Sir Anthony Hopkins will always be Odin to us.
