Renowned actor Sir Anthony Hopkins recently shared his thoughts on his role as King Odin of Asgard in the Thor films. At 85, Hopkins expressed doubt about exerting extreme effort in these movies due to the extensive use of green screens for CGI purposes.
Hopkins described this acting style as “pointless” and revealed that his role primarily involved wearing armor and a beard while seated on the throne.
Anthony Hopkins says Thor role was ‘Pointless Acting’
Hopkins joins an ensemble of actors who have criticized the Marvel movie-making process. Christian Bale, who portrayed Gorr in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), also voiced his dissatisfaction with the heavy reliance on green screens. Bale referred to the experience as dull and admitted that he didn’t employ his renowned Method acting techniques, considering them futile. In an interview with GQ, he highlighted the need for more distinction between filming days and the challenge of differentiating various stages.
Elizabeth Olsen, known for her role as Wanda Maximoff, recently offered advice to aspiring Marvel Studios actors. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, she recommended signing contracts for individual movies rather than committing to multiple films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
According to Olsen, this approach provides greater creative control for future projects if actors develop a solid connection to their characters and wish to continue portraying them.
The candid remarks from Hopkins, Bale, and Olsen provide valuable insights into the realities of working behind the scenes in Marvel films. While these movies have gripped global audiences, it’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges faced by actors who often perform against green screens, heavily relying on post-production effects.
Despite the criticisms, the Marvel Cinematic Universe thrives, continuously attracting talented performers and contributing to its vast, immersive storytelling.
