Anthony Hopkins dismisses acting in Marvel films as ‘pointless’: ‘They put armor on me, they put a beard on me’
More than a decade after first appearing as Odin in 2011’s Thor, Anthony Hopkins talks about his experiences in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Hopkins, 85, played Odin in 2011’s Thor, 2013’s Thor: The Dark World and 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, though he recently spoke of his experience rather disparagingly.
The actor spoke with The New Yorkers in a sweeping piece about how the Marvel Cinematic Universe eventually “swallowed” Hollywood as a whole.
“They have wrapped me in armor; they shoved a beard on me. Sit on the throne, shout a little. If you’re in front of a green screen, there’s no point in acting,” Hopkins said.
The actor’s comments come just weeks after a first look at the actor as the Roman Emperor Vespasian who popped up for the new series Those About To Die.
Opening: More than a decade after first appearing as Odin in 2011’s Thor, Anthony Hopkins talks about his experience in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Speaking out: The actor spoke to The New Yorker in an extended piece about how the Marvel Cinematic Universe eventually “swallowed” Hollywood as a whole
Interestingly enough, Hopkins would eventually credit the role in 2011’s Thor with continuing his acting career, as he was considering retirement at the time.
Hopkins revealed in the 2021 book The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that Thor director Kenneth Branagh gave him the encouragement he needed to continue acting.
“Branagh gave me the chops back to work. I would really give up. But you see, [Branagh] won’t let you do that,” Hopkins said.
He added: ‘Working with Ken was quite an injection of new energy into my life. He seems to have the same infectious quality on everyone in the crew.”
“His enthusiasm, his attitude is so positive that he brings out the best in everyone,” Hopkins revealed.
It’s possible that Hopkins’ experience with the Thor films deteriorated after the original, as Branagh did not return to direct 2013’s Thor: The Dark World (directed by Alan Taylor) or 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok (directed by Taika Waititi). .
Both 2011’s Thor and 2013’s Thor: The Dark World were considered among the “weakest” entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in terms of gross and critical acclaim.
Thor made $181 million domestically (28th of 32 MCU movies) and Thor: The Dark World made $206 million domestically (26th of 32 MCU movies).
Continued: Interestingly, Hopkins would eventually credit the role in 2011’s Thor with continuing his acting career, as he was considering retirement at the time.
Sequel: It’s possible that Hopkins’ experience with the Thor movies deteriorated after the original, as Branagh didn’t return to 2013’s Thor: The Dark World (above, directed by Alan Taylor) or 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok (directed by Taika Waititi) to direct.
Weakest: Both 2011’s Thor and 2013’s Thor: The Dark World were considered among the “weakest” entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in terms of box office gross and critical acclaim
Big hit: 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok changed things with critics (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and at the box office ($315 million domestic, $853.9 million worldwide)
Critics weren’t overly impressed either, with the original Thor earning a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and Thor: The Dark World at 66%.
2017’s Thor: Ragnarok turned things around with critics (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and at the box office ($315 million domestic, $853.9 million worldwide).
Hopkins would win his second Oscar for The Father in 2021, and last year reprized that role in The Son.
He also stars in One Life with Helena Bonham Carter and plays Sigmund Freud in Freud’s Last Session.