Anthony Hopkins on Trump’s Hannibal Lecter obsession, ‘those guys are going to die’, and more

“Now I’m ready to be a god,” says Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian in the film directed by Roland Emmerich. Those who are going to die.

In fact, as ruler of Rome in the year 79 AD, the conqueror of the infamous time of the Four Emperors was for all practical purposes a god on earth. Which portrays the former artist who built what we now call the Colosseum, through the 86-year-old Welshman who is widely regarded as our finest living actor.

“It was a big, big production,” Hopkins said of the July 18 epic-scale launch order at Peacock. self-governance motion Helmer. “It’s a good thing.”

Indeed, because the NBCUniversal streamer is preparing for the Paris Olympics on this very day, the first season of the 10-episode those who are going to die Keeps the festival facility and situation in a spectacular view. A gladiatorial approach that combines a grappling with a grate game of thrones A candid view of blood-soaked royal streets, intercourse, money and gear, with vets Iwan Rheon, Gabriella Peshan and Sarah Martins, Hopkins in the middle.

RELATED: ‘They’re Gonna Die’: First Look at Anthony Hopkins and Extras in Roland Emmerich’s Roman Empire Layout

Insisting on being called Tony, Sir Anthony talked to me about those who are going to die, His very off-form form as an actor, Donald Trump’s obsession with Hannibal Lecter, coming close to his autobiography and just the right amount of study for the job.

deadline: So, Tony, you’ve played presidents, you’ve played Popes, you’ve played Freud, and you’ve played Lear. In fact, you’ve played a Norse god and the world’s most famous serial killer more than once, but now you’re playing a Roman emperor, founder of the Flavian dynasty, in Roland Emmerich’s film. Those who are going to die. What attracted you to this position?

Anthony Hopkins: He gave me the position.

deadline: (laughing) And how did you later research this position for yourself?

Hopkins: I did not do it.

deadline: Did you go through the script completely?

Hopkins: Yes. Absolutely. I’m cruel, I checked it. I’ve heard of Vespasian, and I’ve heard of Domitian and Titus. I’d heard of them, but really, I was more into the past history of Caligula, Tiberius and all that Bacchus and Nero. With Vespasian, I didn’t know much about him. So, I studied a little bit, but I don’t do that much research anymore.

deadline: Why?

Hopkins: I consider it a waste of the year – don’t upload anything else, don’t trade the mobile build of the bod. I saw that he and both his sons had infection. They are as troubled as small children are. So, okay, I’ll be angry. You are indeed appointed to be strong, and I will save this mess with you.

deadline: Unlike a batch of your contemporaries, you’ve learned quite a bit of television over the years. In that context, what used to be unexpected for you those who are going to die,

Hopkins: Neat, the vastness of it. It used to be a weighty, weighty manufacturing. Is excellent. I have completed some TV shows. i did a thing called Westworld. I also liked it very much. This is a quick change. You’ll need twice as much painting to get the episodes and all that. On film, you become a little more luxurious.

Look, I’m fortunate to be in the film industry and fortunate to still be making movies — and television is equally excellent.

deadline: You know, a bunch of people in the country will say how lucky you are to be working given the state of the industry right now.

Hopkins: Notify me about it. The pandemic spoiled a lot of things. I wake up every morning and talk to my agent and he says, “Tony, you’re lucky.” I say, “Yeah, don’t waste it.”

deadline: In this, it is legendary that you transcribe your lines in a script over and over again until they are committed to memory. Earlier you discussed how to do a little analysis as you move forward with the script. Is he with other contemporaries or fresh living figures like Sir Nicholas George Winton and even Richard Nixon?

Hopkins: With Nicholas Winton, I just watched a documentary film on him. You know, because he was a modern man, I observed the way he walked and things like that. I tried to understand his singing performance. I got a bit of excellent attention for it, even though I’m from Wales and he wasn’t.

With Nixon, especially with Nixon, I watched an endless number of documentaries on Nixon and his later meeting in the white space. However that is all.

deadline: this is wonderful…

Hopkins: Neat, thanks. I don’t do any major internal work, and I believe you just need to know the text. I think, demanding to do a batch of studies is not support. It may be funny in your mind, but despite everything, it doesn’t support you at all.

deadline: Do you believe this could dirty the method?

Hopkins: I feel so. Yes. Yes. Because if you’re taking it too seriously, then later you claim, “But he did this, and he did that,” which unsettles the director. I don’t want that. Yeah, some actors say, “Let’s get right into it.” I say, “Can’t you just say the lines?”

deadline: You have to have experience in speaking the lines, because you have a lot of work going on at the moment. With what you’ve accomplished, two Academy Awards, a knighthood, and more, why?

Hopkins: Why? Because I’m lucky to be alive.

I’m 86 years old and I wake up in the morning and say, “Oh, I’m still here.” I have a way to make mischief about it.

Unfortunately, I’m going to have to look again at my contemporaries, many of them long in the past – God bless them. No matter how wrong it is, I’m very grateful to be here. The wonderful thing is that the freedom I have now comes with the sure condition that I will not take credit for it.

deadline: Oh!

Hopkins: Denial, 60 years ago, about 60 years ago, I think about talking to my parents, I said, “One day I’ll teach you.” For some reason someone else wrote my opportunity. I did not make any allegations on this.

deadline: In all likelihood, even though you’re writing this now. How is the autobiography going?

Hopkins: I’ve gotten some great feedback, but it’s not done yet.

deadline: Are you working on it as we speak?

Hopkins: I’m taking a break from it for a few weeks. I’m going next year. So I will start writing it once again from close to him. This is difficult.

deadline: How?

Hopkins: This is a process I’m not happy with, I don’t have experience doing it. Although later – cleverly, the point is that a part of me experiences it.

deadline: Which phase do you experience?

Hopkins: Method of self-discovery. I found a batch from my youth, which used to be very good.

You realize, I’m a lucky man.

I was given the best opportunities on occasion, even though I didn’t always deserve them because I was going to look stupid in class and all that. My parents gave me a very good education – my father, mother – sacrificed a lot for me. My tendency has been to let them remain unhealthy. Over the next year I said, “I’ll show you.” They usually stayed to see it, which was fantastic.

deadline: Seeing the efficiency of this old man ruling an empire and especially with his two sons running for office, it seemed like there used to be a Joe Biden to your Vespasian, in the last years of his reign. There was a ruler in.

Hopkins: No matter how tempting it is, say no.

Although I can say, there is a scene on the balcony where I am eavesdropping. I think because, it’s just an idea, I think it was written into the script that I’m starting to lose it, ? It was just whatever was written in the script. So I just don the suit and pretend like I’m not sure where I’m going or where I am. However I have found that this can happen at any time. So, wrong, I wasn’t at all aware of the Biden side of it.

deadline: I have to say about one of your greatest characters, Hannibal Lecter…

Hopkins: Why?

deadline: Because during this election campaign in America he has come forward as a group and Donald Trump is talking about him in his rallies as if he is a real person.

Hopkins: As if it were real?

deadline: Sure,

Hopkins: (laughs) I didn’t know that. (Laughs again.) Hannibal, that movie has been years in the making. Lord, this used to be 30 years ago. I am shocked and amazed by the information you have given me about Trump.

deadline: Sorry about that,

Hopkins: Oh, it’s all right. I think we’re okay. I’ve liked it so far. I regret that I will not be able to explain my actions in detail. I have always stored it, especially in the near years, very simply.

deadline: Nothing wrong with easy and sweet…

Hopkins: I know my answers may be offensive to some couples. Society says, “How can you say that?” Frankly, it’s easy because I’ve been doing it for a long year. I’m lucky to be alive and lucky to do what I do. It’s a constant state of wonder that I’m still here. Still doing it. So I tell my friends in the market, “Stay healthy, stay strong.”

deadline: He may have strong Welsh blood and spirit.

Hopkins: Yes, I think so.