’This About To Die’ Trailer Shows Anthony Hopkins as Roman Emperor
„That’s About to Die” streaming now on Peacock.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but Peacock’s gladiator epic TV series „That’s About to Die” (streaming now) was a flurry of action during the first afternoon of Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian in the Italian studio.
Hopkins, 86, still strikes fear into hearts with his Academy Award-winning performance as cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter from 1991’s „The Silence of the Lambs.”
„It was loud and Anthony was annoyed,” says „Die” director and executive producer Roland Emmerich. „So he said in a very stern voice, 'Silencio!’ From that moment on, if he had something to say, people would listen.
Although this is the authoritative order you look for when casting a Roman emperor, Hopkins makes it clear that the order was only for the benefit of Roman production.
„With all due respect, Italians love to talk. And staying quiet on set is almost impossible,” says Hopkins. „We’re making a movie, and if the assistant director can’t find peace, they need a strong voice. So you say, 'Shut up!'” he said.
Hopkins checked off several boxes of entertainment, playing Emperor Vespasian in „That About to Die.” (All ten episodes are now streaming on Peacock). Here’s what to expect:
What was Emperor Vespasian famous for?
In his six-decade career, Hopkins is no stranger to sword-and-sandal entertainment. He played Old Ptolemy in 2004’s „Alexander,” in which the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great (Colin Farrell) wears golden crowns.
History buffs are familiar with the history of Roman emperors such as Tiberius and the famously cruel Caligula. Despite the possibility of a story depicting Caligula, he was not interested. „I don’t want to play Caligula; he’s terrible,” says Hopkins. „It’s been done before.”
Emmerich was offered the chance to play Vespasian, a character not often the subject of many Hollywood productions. „Anthony was the first of the three names on my list and he said yes,” says Emmerich.
Hopkins opened the history books again.
„I read a little. He had two sons, Titus and Domitian, who were both supposed to be emperors,” says Hopkins. „And he was a man who brought about financial reforms in the Roman Empire.”
Well, fiscal responsibility isn’t an attribute viewers might want to see Hopkins embody. But money-hungry Vespasian began to build fame ColosseumFunded after paying off the Roman debt brought in by spendthrift showboaters like Emperor Nero.
Vespasian draws attention away from the bloodthirsty crowd at the Circus Maximus. A gladiator-combat, chariot-racing venue in the dark heart of „Tie”. Much of the drama in the series centers on Tenax („Game of Thrones” star Evan Ryan), a lowly underworld figure trying to work his way into Roman society.
Vespasian’s twisted relationship with Titus (Tom Hughes) and the scheming Domitian (Jojo Macari) also makes for compelling drama.
Yet the history books reveal the most compelling truth about how Vespasian died. „An emperor must die at his feet!” The prospect of bringing this once-in-a-lifetime death scene to the screen raises interest in Hopkins’ ruler. The next level.
„Anthony really embraced Vespasian. He kept telling me, 'He’s the real deal,'” says Emmerich.
Hopkins is the least likely. „I make sure someone is there when I fall. I learn my lines and I don’t crash into the furniture,” she credits. James Cagney acting proverbial. „I’ll make sure my check is in the mail to my agent.”
Anthony Hopkins Gets a Toga in 'That About to Die’?
Hopkins admired the artistry of the handmade Roman-era costumes designed by Gianni Casalnuovo. The famous ensemble also includes the 'corona aria’ (Latin for „golden crown”), a head wreath given in honor of Vespasian’s military victories. A skilled Italian jeweler donning a brilliant piece of gold-like material is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
„It really hurt,” Hopkins says with a laugh. „Some of those leaves stuck to my head. But acting is a game.”
Along with the crown, Vespasian’s Circus Maximus costume is meant to impress the audience with its gold-embroidered hand-woven body armor and gold-embroidered silk dress. To check the final box on the Roman Emperor’s must-have list, Hopkins briefly dons a red toga in episode eight. He was moved once again during his first match with Casalnuovo, saying he was „dazzled to meet one of the greatest actors alive”.
„I confessed to him that I didn’t sleep the night before. I was really nervous about meeting him,” says Casalnuovo. „To my surprise, he introduced Hannibal Lecter from 'The Silence of the Lambs’ and said, 'Do I scare you now?’ It was fun.”
„Totalny pionier w sieci. Specjalista od piwa niezależny. Ewangelista popkultury. Miłośnik muzyki. Nieprzepraszający przedsiębiorca”.