Germany Anthony Hopkins: Speak clearly instead of whispering sexily

Two-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins ("The Silence of the Lambs", "The Father") is still having a lot of fun in front of the camera at the age of 86. "I've been doing it for over 60 years now and I've learned not to make a big fuss about it. I love it, they pay me money and they invite me to different countries," says the British Hollywood star with a mischievous smile in the dpa interview. When filming, he would keep things "very simple": Learn your lines so you're fully prepared. Then you can improvise better, says Hopkins.

The one piece of advice he would give young actors is to speak loudly and clearly. "Actors like to whisper and think they sound sexy, but that's boring," says Hopkins and demonstratively lapses into an unintelligible mumble. "Supposedly sexy, like Marlon Brando," he adds with a wink.

In the new historical series "Those About To Die" (start: July 19 on Prime Video) about gladiator fights, politics and corruption in ancient Rome, he plays the Roman emperor Vespasian under the direction of Roland Emmerich (68, "Independence Day"). Wearing a white toga and a golden laurel wreath, he makes an imposing appearance as the ruler.

The political chaos in ancient Rome is the stuff of visually stunning entertainment. Hopkins also sees parallels with contemporary politics. "It's chaos, it always has been, it's nothing new, people are corrupt," the actor grumbles. "We put other people down, we suppress their political views. That is the tragedy of human life and human history."

As Emperor Vespasian, Hopkins plays a man at the end of his life who ponders his legacy to the world. By his own admission, such thoughts are far from the star's mind. "I'm just happy to still be alive at 86," Hopkins fends off with a grin. "Every day I wake up, well, one more day."

SDA