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"I think later in his years, he could have retired because some of the films became terrible," Hopkins told HuffPost Entertainment in a recent interview. For the record, Hopkins prefers Hitchcock's fertile period between 1954 and 1960, when the director produced "Rear Window," "Vertigo," "North By Northwest" and "Psycho." That last film is at the center of Hopkins' newest effort, appropriately titled"Hitchcock." Directed by Sacha Gervasi ("Anvil: The Story of Anvil"), "Hitchcock" focuses on the making of "Psycho," as well as the relationship Hitchcock had with his wife, Alma Reville. Hopkins plays Hitch in the film, transforming his features and voice to embody the oft-imitated director; fellow acting legend Helen Mirren plays Reville.
"She was exactly what I expected," Hopkins said about his co-star. "Very professional, friendly, very good. Excellent actress. No-nonsense."
Neither is Hopkins, which is why it wasn't that surprising to hear the Oscar-winning star rail against both Method acting and the dog-and-pony show known as awards season.
You've played historical figures before. Did you have any apprehension about taking on another real-life character?
Initially, yes, I did. I had apprehension all the way through the movie. I had done all my preparation, but being a perfectionist I wanted to make sure it was absolutely right. But Sacha said, "You're not Alfred Hitchcock, you're Anthony Hopkins playing him." I said, "Yeah, I know." But I wouldn't even look at the monitor screens [during production]. I didn't want to see myself or hear myself. I had done enough preparation to do the part.
Initially, yes, I did. I had apprehension all the way through the movie. I had done all my preparation, but being a perfectionist I wanted to make sure it was absolutely right. But Sacha said, "You're not Alfred Hitchcock, you're Anthony Hopkins playing him." I said, "Yeah, I know." But I wouldn't even look at the monitor screens [during production]. I didn't want to see myself or hear myself. I had done enough preparation to do the part.
What was the most difficult part of preparation?
I think getting the makeup right was the first one. It wasn't difficult in itself, but we did about four or five camera tests to modify to make sure there wasn't too much makeup. Getting the voice right, too. I watched a lot of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on television.
I think getting the makeup right was the first one. It wasn't difficult in itself, but we did about four or five camera tests to modify to make sure there wasn't too much makeup. Getting the voice right, too. I watched a lot of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on television.
Did you ever meet Alfred Hitchcock before he died?
I did in West Hollywood. My agent took me to this restaurant one day and said, "There's Alfred Hitchcock down there." I said, "Oh, God. Can I meet him?" Hitchcock had just gotten his knighthood, so we're walking past him and my agent said, "Good afternoon, Sir Alfred." He said, "Hello. How are you?" He said, "This is my client Anthony Hopkins." Hitchcock said [to me], "Charmed, I'm sure."
I did in West Hollywood. My agent took me to this restaurant one day and said, "There's Alfred Hitchcock down there." I said, "Oh, God. Can I meet him?" Hitchcock had just gotten his knighthood, so we're walking past him and my agent said, "Good afternoon, Sir Alfred." He said, "Hello. How are you?" He said, "This is my client Anthony Hopkins." Hitchcock said [to me], "Charmed, I'm sure."
for the rest go here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/anthony-hopkins-hitchcock-oscars_n_2156179.html?view=print&comm_ref=false
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/anthony-hopkins-hitchcock-oscars_n_2156179.html?view=print&comm_ref=false
Took Hitch awhile to spit it out, too, I imagine: "Chahhhmed, ahhhmm shoo-wer."
ReplyDeleteFriends have expressed reluctance to see this movie, thinking Hopkins was a bad choice to play Hitch. I thought Hopkins was a bad choice to play Nixon, until I saw the movie. Hopkins is a phenomenal actor. So is Mirren
Thank you for sharing this, Mr. Gorman. Hopkins looks the part and it's going to be interesting to see him in Hitchcock's shoes in this part-biopic on the renowned filmmaker.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. Funny that he's a grump about other actors being grumps.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing this one. Enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the pointer, Ed.
ReplyDeleteEd Lynskey
Wow! I am waiting to see Hopkins in the new role. It will be awesome.
ReplyDelete