Anthony Hopkins dismisses acting in Marvel movies as ‘useless’: ‘They put me in armor, they grew a beard on me’
More than a decade after his first appearance as Odin in 2011’s Thor, Anthony Hopkins is opening up about his experience 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’s recently spoken quite disparagingly about his experience.
The actor spoke with the new yorker in a wide-ranging article about how the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally “swallowed” Hollywood as a whole.
‘They put me in armour; they grew my beard. Sit on the throne, shout a little. If you’re sitting in front of a green screen, there’s no point playing it,” Hopkins said.
The actor’s comments come just weeks after a first glimpse of the actor as Roman Emperor Vespasian surfaced for the new series Those About to Die.
Opening: More than a decade after his first appearance as Odin in 2011’s Thor, Anthony Hopkins opens up about his experience in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Speaking: The actor spoke to The New Yorker in a wide-ranging article about how the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally ‘swallowed’ Hollywood as a whole
Interestingly enough, Hopkins would ultimately assign the role of Thor in 2011 to pursuing 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 keep acting.
‘Branagh gave me the courage to work. I was going to give up, really. But you see, [Branagh] won’t let you do that,” Hopkins said.
He added: ‘Working with Ken has been a real injection of new energy into my life. He seems to have the same contagious 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 Hopkins’ experience of the Thor movies soured after the original, as Branagh didn’t return to direct 2013’s Thor: The Dark World (directed by Alan Taylor) or 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok. (directed by Taika Waititi).
2011’s Thor and 2013’s Thor: The Dark World were considered among the “weakest” entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in terms of raw and critical acclaim at the box office.
Thor earned $181 million domestically (28th of 32 MCU films) and Thor: The Dark World earned $206 million domestically (26th of 32 MCU films).
Continuing: Interestingly enough, Hopkins would ultimately cast the role of Thor in 2011 to pursue his acting career, as he was considering retirement at the time.
Sequel: It’s possible Hopkins’ experience of the Thor movies soured after the original, as Branagh didn’t return to direct 2013’s Thor: The Dark World (above, directed by Alan Taylor) or Thor: Ragnarok in 2017 (directed by Taika Waititi)
Weakest: 2011’s Thor and 2013’s Thor: The Dark World were considered among the “weakest” entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in terms of raw and critical acclaim at the box office.
Biggest 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 too impressed either, with the original Thor scoring 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and Thor: The Dark World at 66%.
2017’s Thor: Ragnarok changed things with reviews (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and at the box office ($315 million domestic, $853.9 million worldwide).
Hopkins will win his second Oscar for The Father in 2021, and he reprized that role last year in The Son.
He will also star in One Life with Helena Bonham Carter and he will play Sigmund Freud in Freud’s Last Session.
