Although Anthony Hopkins enjoyed working on the MCU, he called the process of acting in the saga “pointless.” Here’s why.

A few years before superhero fatigue kicked in, it seemed like every big-name actor in Hollywood was getting cast as a superhero. Whether it was for a quick payday or because their kids were huge fans, fans definitely enjoyed watching these A-listers take on the superhero suits, and the actors seemed to have fun too. Well, almost all of them.

Chris Hemsworth and Anthony Hopkins in Thor: The Dark World | Credits: Marvel Studios

The legendary Anthony Hopkins might just be the exception to the rule. While he enjoyed the people, the experience, and the perks, there was one part of the whole superhero gig he found utterly pointless, the actual acting.

Why Anthony Hopkins says MCU acting is “pointless”

While many actors have donned superhero capes over the years, Anthony Hopkins took on the ultimate role, playing Odin, the powerful god and father of Thor, in the MCU. Fans loved his portrayal, and Hopkins delivered the role perfectly. However, the seasoned actor, known for his legendary roles like Hannibal Lecter, found one aspect of the experience a bit, well, pointless.

When it came to acting in front of a green screen, Hopkins couldn’t help but feel a little detached. For a man who’s played some of the most complex, intense characters in film, stepping into the shoes of a god like Odin just didn’t give him the challenge he craved.

Even though Odin was powerful in the MCU, the character often felt a bit one-dimensional, no match for the depth Hopkins was used to. In a chat with The New York Times, he very bluntly blurted out,

They put me in armor; they shoved a beard on me, Sit on the throne, shout a bit. If you’re sitting in front of a green screen, it’s pointless acting it.

Anthony Hopkins as King Odin in Thor films | Credits: Marvel Studios

Hopkins then shared a little secret he learned from Gregory Peck, a concept called “NAR,” or “No Acting Required.” Basically, it’s when the role doesn’t need much depth or effort to play. He sorts his scripts into this special category, and guess what? Odin falls right into it! He explained,

I try to apply it to everything I do: no acting required. Gregory Peck was doing “Moby Dick,” and one of the props guys found his script on the set. He opened it up and Gregory Peck had written on a certain page, “N.A.R.”So he asked, “What does this mean, Mr. Peck?” He said [launching into a booming Peck impression], “No acting required. You just look at the sea, and that’s it!” And that’s true.

But that doesn’t mean Hopkins isn’t grateful for the role or the MCU experience. In fact, he’s immensely thankful, he knows that without the Thor films, he might not have had the chance to continue acting at all.

How the MCU stopped Anthony Hopkins from quitting acting!

Imagine Sir Anthony Hopkins stepping away from acting, hard to picture, right? Yet, there was a time when the legendary actor seriously considered giving it all up. That was until the MCU came calling. When offered the role of Odin in the Thor trilogy, everything changed. Hopkins, got yet another shot at acting, thanks to the mighty god he portrayed.

In The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a book where artists share behind-the-scenes stories of bringing the Marvel universe to life, Hopkins opened up about how the role revived his career. He explained (via Comicbook),

Ken Branagh (director of first two Thor movies) gave me back the chops to work. I was gonna give it up, really. But, you see, he won’t let you do that. Working with Ken was quite an injection of new energy into my life. He seems to have that same infectious quality on everybody in the crew. His enthusiasm, his attitude, is so positive, that he brings out the best in everybody.

Anthony Hopkins as Odin in the MCU | Credits: Marvel Studios

All four Thor films did exceptionally well, both with critics and at the box office, well, except for the last one. But since then, Hopkins has practically been unstoppable. The role of Odin reignited his passion for acting, and with each new project, he’s fallen in love with the craft all over again. And just like that, a new generation of fans got to rediscover the living legend that is Sir Anthony Hopkins.

All Thor films are available to stream on Disney+