ANTHONY HOPKINS:They offered me the role.
DEADLINE:[Laughs]And then how did you research for this role for yourself?
HOPKINS:I didnt.
Anthony HopkinsEverett Collection
DEADLINE: You went purely by the script?
I mean, you know, I checked it out.
I heard about Vespasian, and Id heard about Domitian and Titus.
Anthony Hopkins (Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
With Vespasian, I didnt know much about him.
So, I did a little bit of reading, but now I dont do that much research.
What I realized was that with his two sons, he has a problem.
Theyre easily distracted as young kids are.
So, OK, Im going be angry.
Youre got to be really strong, and Im going save this mess with you.
In that context, what was surprising to you aboutThose About to Die?
HOPKINS:Well, the vastness of it.
It was a big, big production.
Ive done a few television shows.
I did something calledWestworld.I enjoyed it too.
Its a faster turnaround.
Youd have to work double, you know, to get the episodes and all that.
On film, you have a bit more luxury.
The pandemic did a lot of damage.
I wake up every morning and talk to my agent, and he says Tony, youre lucky.
I say, Yeah, dont jinx it.
Earlier you mentioned how you do some research to go with the script.
Is that different with contemporaries or recent living figures like SirNicholas George Winton or evenRichard Nixon?
HOPKINS:With Nicholas Winton, I just watched a documentary film on him.
You know, because he was a contemporary, I watched the way he walked and things like that.
I tried to get a sense of his vocal delivery.
Ive got a fairly good ear for that, although Im from Wales and he wasnt.
DEADLINE:Its amazing…
HOPKINS:Well, thank you.
I dont do any massive inner workings, and I believe that you just have to learn the text.
I think, you know, trying to do a lot of research doesnt help.
It may be entertaining for your intellect, but finally, it doesnt help you at all.
DEADLINE:Do you think it can muddle the process?
HOPKINS:I think so.
I dont need that.
Yeah, some actors say, Lets get right into it.
I say, Cant you just speak the lines?
With all youve accomplished, with two Academy Awards, a knighthood and more, why?
Because Im lucky to be alive.
Im 86 and I wake up in the morning and go, Oh, Im still here.
I have a sense of mischief about it.
But no, Im just very grateful to be here.
For some reason that somebody else wrote my life.
I didnt write it.
DEADLINE:Perhaps, but you are writing it now.
How is the autobiography going?
HOPKINS:Ive had some good responses, but its not finished yet.
DEADLINE:Are you working on it as we speak?
HOPKINS:Im taking a break from it for a few weeks.
Im going away next week.
So Im going to start writing it again after that.
Its a tough one.
HOPKINS:Its a process Im not happy with, I dont enjoy doing it.
But then well, the thing is, part of me does enjoy it.
DEADLINE:What part do you enjoy?
HOPKINS:The process of self-discovery.
I discovered a lot about my childhood, which was good.
You know, I am a lucky guy.
My parents gave me a good education my father, mother but made hard sacrifices for me.
Ive tended to let them down.
Then one day I said, Ill show you.
And they lived to see it, which was great.
HOPKINS:No, but interesting.
But I will say, theres a scene on the balcony where Im looking vague.
It was just that written in the script.
So I just followed suit and pretend as if Im not sure where Im going or where I am.
But Ive learned that can happen at any age.
So, no, I wasnt conscious of that Biden aspect of it at all.
DEADLINE: I have to mention your one of your greatest characters, Hannibal Lecter …
HOPKINS:Why?
HOPKINS:As if he is real?
HOPKINS:[Laughs] I didnt know that.
[Laughs again.]
Hannibal, thats a long time ago that movie.
God, that was over 30 years ago.
Im shocked and appalled what youve told me about Trump.
DEADLINE:Sorry about that.
HOPKINS:Oh, its all right.
I think were OK. Ive enjoyed it so far.
Im sorry I cant elaborate on stuff I do.
Ive always kept it, especially in later years, kept it very simple.
People say, How can you say that?
Well, its easy because Ive been doing it a long time.
Im just lucky to be alive and lucky to do what I do.
Its a state of constant surprise that Im still here.
So I say to my friends out there, Stay healthy, stay strong.
DEADLINE:That could be that strong Welsh blood and spirit.
HOPKINS:Yeah, I think so.
