As was reported by Variety this morning, Anothony Hopkins has agreed to appear in the Transformers: The Last Knight, the fifth film in that franchise, and a proposed kickoff to a dreaded, multi-film Transformers cinematic universe. The phrase “cinematic universe” may already be making you wince, but it most assuredly will when you realize that we’ll be getting one associated with the critically panned yet bafflingly popular Transformers feature films. Why has Hopkins agreed to appear in this film? Scuttlebutt among the crew is that he lost a bet.
Although, we should perhaps remember that Hopkins has a grand tradition in appearing in silly blockbusters, likely for the paycheck, but just as likely for the challenge. After Thor, RED 2, The Wolfman, Beowulf, and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we can intuit that Hopkins will step into any role that suits him. Hopkins, you see, is a professional. And like many professionals, will refuse to pooh-pooh a role just because its surrounded by special effects. Each role should be about acting first.
Indeed, many acclaimed, talented, and otherwise classy actors and actresses have agreed to appear in silly blockbusters from time to time. We can posit that it’s because they have debts, covet a yacht, or simply want to “make one for my kids,” but more than anything perhaps we should accept that they are doing it because, well, they are actors. And a role is a role.
Slideshow: When Great Actors Go Slumming in Silly Blockbusters
Top Image: Orion Pictures
Witney Seibold is a contributor to the CraveOnline Film Channel, and the co-host of The B-Movies Podcast and Canceled Too Soon. He also contributes to Legion of Leia and to Blumhouse. You can follow him on “The Twitter” at @WitneySeibold, where he is slowly losing his mind.
When Great Actors Go Slumming in Silly Blockbusters
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When Dane DeHaan was in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'
The soulful, intense, and committed young actor may be one of the best of his generation. His agreement to star in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as a man afflicted with a goblin disease is easily the most baffling film in his filmography.
Image: Columbia
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When Frances McDormand was in 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'
Fans of Michael Bay's Transformers movies likely clamored for the involvement of more actors from Coen Bros. movies. Added bonus for Dark of the Moon: John Malkovich. Added bonus for McDormand: Aeon Flux.
Image: Paramount
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When John Turturro was in 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'
Turturro is a talented and hilarious actor who has taken on bizarre roles in the past (Brain Donors, anyone?). Nothing, however, was sillier than him marveling at a giant robot scrotum.
Image: Paramount
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When Laura Linney was in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows'
Currently raking in money at the box office, the fifth TMNT feature film somehow snagged the serious and multiple Oscar nominee Laura Linney.
Image: Paramount
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When Laurence Olivier was in 'Clash of the Titans'
Olivier's name is synonymous with great acting. Clash of the Titans is synonymous with schlock. Together, well, it's a bit of a shock. Albeit an amazingly enjoyable bit of schlock.
Image: UA
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When Orson Welles was in 'Transformers: The Movie'
Yes, this was the last job Welles had before he died. To pay for hefty bills, Welles voiced a robot god that could... you know what? It doesn't matter.
Image: Hasbro
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When Philip Seymour Hoffman was in 'Mission: Impossible III'
This series of blockbusters is typically a mite classier than most, but Hoffman, better known for many, many great performances in penetrating dramas still seems out-of-place.
Image: Paramount
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When Robert De Niro was in 'The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle'
One of the best of his generation, De Niro, later in his career, eventually began taking on comedy roles that were only sometimes right for him. That wave began with his confusing appearance as Fearless Leader in the fun and silly Rocky and Bullwinkle movie.
Image: Universal
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When Dennis Hopper was in 'Super Mario Bros.'
Dennis Hopper was long sober by 1993, so why did he agree to to star in this bonkers video game adaptation? College tuition, I believe.
Image: Buena Vista
