Director Roland Emmerich has revealed it was “terrifying” working with Anthony Hopkins on Prime Video’s latest series Those About To Die.
The famed director has worked with a number of Hollywood stars, including Mel Gibson, Will Smith and Jake Gyllenhaal, but Anthony Hopkins made the Independence Day director extremely nervous.
The 68-year-old German filmmaker said he had so much respect for the two-time Oscar winner that he was incredibly nervous to meet with him over Zoom to discuss the project.
Emmerich told Forbes: ‘I was more nervous when I met him than when I met Mel Gibson’.
He went on to explain how great it was to work with Anthony: ‘He was a real sweetheart, very cooperative and very easy to get along with’.
Director Roland Emmerich has revealed it was ‘terrifying’ working with Anthony Hopkins (pictured) on the latest Prime Video series Those About To Die
The director told Forbes: ‘I was more nervous when I met him than when I met Mel Gibson’ (pictured in the series The Continental)
The new drama series Those About To Die received mostly positive reviews from fans on Friday, with some comparing it to Game Of Thrones, while others described it as a “lower-budget Spartacus.”
The Peacock Show, which premiered on July 18, is an epic swords-and-sandals television series developed by Robert Rodat and directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner.
The series, starring Anthony Hopkins, is inspired by the 1958 book Those About To Die by Daniel P. Mannix, which also inspired the film Gladiator starring Russell Crowe, 58, as Maximus.
However, after the release date, fans shared their opinions about the newest series via X, formerly known as Twitter. Some even claimed that they were not fans.
One fan wrote: ‘I was really excited for Those About to Die, but it’s a bit crude… feels like a bigger budget Xena/Hercules or a smaller budget Spartacus’.
Another shared: ‘I just watched 10 hours of Peacock’s new series “Those About to Die” in one sitting and I thought it was good. The transitions between scenes could use some work though. It has potential as long as the writing and plots don’t get ruined in later seasons.’
The German filmmaker said he had so much respect for the two-time Oscar winner that he was incredibly nervous about meeting him over Zoom to discuss the project
The Peacock drama, which aired its first episode on July 18, is an epic swords and sandals television series
While others claimed they loved the show and even compared the opening scene to the iconic HBO series Game Of Thrones.
One fan wrote: ‘I’m going to see Those About To Die. The opening title sequence is brilliant (very Game Of Thrones)’; ‘Those About To Die has me hooked already, they catch lions with nets.’; ‘Those About To Die (flame emoji)’; ‘Those About To Die is GOOD ASF’.
The lead roles are played by 86-year-old Welsh actor Anthony, who plays the elderly emperor Vespasian. Iwan Rheon, Jojo Macari and Tom Hughes also have roles.
Last year, it was announced that Anthony had joined the cast of the Peacock drama.
Vespasian was a Roman emperor who ruled from 69 to 79 AD. During his reign, the Flavian Amphitheatre was built, better known today as the Roman Colosseum.
Set in the ‘complex and corrupt’ world of gladiatorial contests, Those About To Die follows a cast of characters from all walks of Roman society.
An official summary described the elderly Vespasian as ‘despised by the patricians who vied for their position in the empire and who were anxious to replace his successors as quickly as possible.’
Anthony won an Oscar in 2021 for his role in The Father and also won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1991 film Silence Of The Lambs.
However, on the release date, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the latest series, with some claiming they weren’t fans
While others claimed they loved the show and even compared the opening scene to the iconic HBO series Game Of Thrones
Roland directed, co-wrote, and produced the 2022 science fiction disaster film Moonfall, which flopped at the box office, grossing only $67 million worldwide.
The film starring Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson was released in February 2022 to critical acclaim.
Anthony began his acting career in the 1960s, making his film debut in the 1967 British short drama The White Bus.
In 1993 he was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the theatre.
He also played Odin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and starred in the HBO series Westworld.