Vintage Interview with Anthony Hopkins - The Lion in Winter 1968

First Major Film Role

• 💡 Anthony Hopkins was cast as Richard the Lionheart in "The Lion in Winter" after Peter O'Toole expressed interest.
• 🚀 This film marked Hopkins's first major film role and his debut in front of a camera, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to be in movies.
• 🎬 He starred alongside Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn, making it a significant event for his career.

Working with Co-Stars

• ✨ Hopkins described Peter O'Toole as a "powerful charismatic figure" and "extraordinary," considering him a "real acting genius."
• 📌 He admitted to being in awe of Katharine Hepburn, despite not feeling nervous, leading to minor mishaps on set.

Katharine Hepburn's Acting Advice

• 💬 Hepburn gave Hopkins crucial advice: "Don't act." She suggested watching "real American actors" like Spencer Tracy who "just do it" rather than overtly acting.
• ✅ This advice, to "speak the lines and show up," was the best he ever received as a film actor.

The Joy of Filmmaking

• 👏 Hepburn also emphasized the privilege of "being paid to play games" in the south of France, reminding everyone that making movies is "the best you can be doing."
• 💡 Hopkins has carried this perspective for decades, still feeling that it's "fun" and "wonderful" to be paid for his work on set.
• 🎭 He characterized "The Lion in Winter" as a "showy, big glossy historical movie" and "pure old-fashioned entertainment."