"I don't just play a father, I play the god-father."

He described the character of the King of the Aesir to the LA Times thusly…

"He's a stern man. He's a man with purpose. I play the god who banishes his son from the kingdom of Asgard because he screwed up. He's a hot-headed, temperamental young man --probably a chip off of the old block -- but I decide he's not really ready to rule the future kingdom, so I banish him. I'm harsh and my wife complains and I say, 'That is why I'm king.' He's ruthless, take-it-or-leave-it. Women are much more forgiving; men are not so forgiving. I know in my life, my karma is, 'If you don't like it, tough, move on.' And I move on. I'm a little like Odin myself."

A lot of acting methods instruct an actor to dig into himself, find a piece of his own life that relates to that of his character and use the associated feelings as a basis for his performance. Hopkins seems to be a student of that school of thought, as his approach to Thor and Odin’s father/son relation draws from his own relationship with his own father.

So speaks Sir Anthony…

"I'm very interested in that relationship between fathers and son… My father's relationship with me was cold. He was a hot-blood character but to me, cold. When I was young, he expressed his disappointment because I was bad in school and all of that. He didn't mean any harm, but I felt I could never meet up to his expectations."

Such sentiments bode well for my anticipation for THOR. It’s always exciting when actors take these roles seriously enough to pull from outside sources for their performances, rather than base them simply on prior superhero movies. Heath Ledger took cues from Sid Vicious and Alex DeLarge (and Truman Capote and James Cagney, by estimation) to design the Joker’s mannerisms. I also recall Kevin Conroy saying one time that his approach to voicing Batman was originally based on his approach to Hamlet.

What do you think, oh methodical Comic Vine community? Do these blurbs embolden your excitement for the film, too? Or do they make you feel like your liver’s just been eaten with some fava beans and a nice chianti?

-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Comics and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia Comics.   Watch out for the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover collection this March - - available for pre-order now on Amazon.com.

anthony hopkins is one of the best actors working today he could make damn near anything great

Anthony hopkins is going to own the role of odin and his appearance might even draw movie goers to see thor even if they dont know what it is about just for him 

anthony hopkins is gonna kill it. i keep thinkin bout beowulf, in which he was awesome as well.

i knew he'd play it. i actually mentioned it on an older blog from about quarter of a year ago since he looked pretty damn worthy of the role in the "Legend of the Fall" movie.

seen wolfman?

I am actually very encouraged by Sir Hopkins comments. I don't think there is a better actor out there that could embody the role of Odin like he can. He just has that aura around him that one needs to play Odin. He might not be the physical specimen Odin is portrayed to be, but in all seeing someone like Hopkins dress down Thor is a much better sense. Showing that Thor and his siblings have a large amount of respect and fear for their All-Father.

Branagh is one of my favorite living directors. I trust him implicitly with helping these actors find and convey meaning in these roles, as archaic and flamboyant as the characters may seem on the surface.

I don't know if I'm emboldened, but I'm impressed.  Not only was tat a touching & personal confession, but it also gave away plot! :D

Anthony Hopkins is an excellent choice. A top notch actor whom I feel will affect those he's working with. Making them better.

so great it's painful. Painfully great.

This movie is so promising,and i like both Mighty Thor and Ultimate Thor so much, i'm getting scared sh1tl3e$$

Anthony hopkins/Odin+ thor movie= me interested :)

Chris Helmsworths game will be RAISED considerably by acting alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins.. & to allay any fears people have on the physicality he's a sheakespearan thesp as long as the posture is cool the people who made Vinnie Jones look like 7ft Juggernaut MUST be able to add sum physique to him..tho  dont even think any of thats necessary

Well good to know that he & Odin have some relation & that he can relate to this character hopefully just as well Downey did to Stark & deliver a grade-A performance

Sounds very promising, can't wait to see the first pics.

Anthony Hopkins! Anthony Hopkins!!!! <3

Incredible!

can't wait for it!