Anthony Hopkins’ Spotless Career in Hollywood

British actor Anthony Hopkins has built a career in Hollywood that is surrounded by quality performances in popular films such as The Elephant Man, The Silence of the Lambs, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Friendship, and The Father, among others. His work has added to the prestige of these titles, making him one of the most prolific faces in Hollywood.

Hopkins’ Struggle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

However, Hopkins’ reputation took a hit when he starred as Odin, the king Asgardian and father of Thor, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His portrayal of the character in the first three Thor movies was not well-received, with many describing it as his worst work. Critics noted his lackluster performance in the films and his inability to bring depth to his character.

The Problem with Marvel’s Method of Production

Recent statements from Hopkins and other Marvel stars highlighted how the problem with these performances has more to do with the method of production than the actor. A report by The New Yorker revealed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has forever changed the Hollywood paradigm, where the brands behind the franchises and the characters have imposed themselves on the figure of the movie star.

The information in the article revealed that the career of its great protagonists is worth little to nothing outside the franchise, as the viewers are drawn to the characters rather than the actors themselves. Therefore, even though the franchise always bets on high-flying stars, their importance in the films is minimal, not even providing ideal conditions or instructions for the construction of a good role.

Lack of Direction from Marvel Studio

According to one of the agents who worked with Anthony Hopkins, those responsible for Thor were not much help as they were limited to telling him to sit on the throne, characterize himself as Odin and shout a bit. This lack of direction, combined with being on a set full of green screens, resulted in the stiff interpretation that we saw in the Thor movies.

The same problem can be said of many other stars in the franchise, including Cate Blanchett in Thor: Ragnarok. Despite the studio acknowledging the issue, there is a need for improvement in how they approach storytelling and character development.

The Devaluation of Movie Stars

The devaluation of the concept of the movie star within the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a cause for concern, as it has changed the direction of Hollywood and extended the problem to other productions and sagas. It detracts from the talents of actors who are reduced to nothingness within the Marvel Universe and diminishes the value of movie stars in the industry.

While there have been some attempts to remedy the issue, such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with Angela Bassett’s performance, there is a long way to go in restoring the value of the movie star in Hollywood.