Anthony Hopkins Reveals the Director He Still Dreams of Working With
Anthony Hopkins opens up about his deep respect for Clint Eastwood and his long-standing wish to collaborate with the iconic director, even as time and circumstances make it increasingly unlikely.
Few actors have enjoyed the kind of career Anthony Hopkins has built, working with a who's who of legendary filmmakers. From David Lynch and Francis Ford Coppola to Ridley Scott and Ron Howard, Hopkins has had his pick of Hollywood 's finest. Yet, even with his impressive resume, there are still directors he’s never had the chance to team up with—directors he’s admired from afar, hoping for the right project to come along.
Despite his status as one of the most celebrated actors of his era, Hopkins knows that not every collaboration is meant to be. Hollywood is a place where even the most talented stars can’t always choose their own path. With so many gifted actors vying for roles, and directors seeking the perfect fit for their vision, sometimes the stars just don’t align.
Hopkins’ Unfulfilled Wish
Even as an Oscar winner and a true Hollywood icon, Hopkins still has a few dreams left unfulfilled. One of those dreams is to work with Clint Eastwood, a filmmaker he’s admired for decades. But with Eastwood now 95 and his most recent film, Juror #2, possibly being his last, the window for such a collaboration seems to be closing fast. While the film received solid reviews, many believe it could mark the end of Eastwood’s directorial career, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
Hopkins has come to terms with the choices he’s made over the years, no longer dwelling on missed opportunities. In a candid conversation, he shared,
“Philosophically, I’ve reached a point in my life that I’m at a good age where I’ve done everything I wanted to do. And to be free of wanting to work with Mr Scorsese or whoever… It’s wonderful to not care.”
Still, he couldn’t help but admit that working with Eastwood would have been something special.
“But I admire people, I suppose I would have liked to have worked with Clint Eastwood, I think I admire him.”
He added,
“I think he’s one of the best. I mean, I like his style of directing – not that I’ve ever worked with him. It’s two takes and is it in focus, then OK, move on. I like his attitude.”
Eastwood’s Lasting Legacy
Clint Eastwood’s journey from his breakout role in Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy to his directorial debut with Play Misty for Me in 1971 is the stuff of Hollywood legend. Over the years, he’s balanced acting and directing, earning multiple Oscars and critical acclaim for films like Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby. Even as he’s aged, Eastwood has kept up a remarkable pace, rarely slowing down.
It’s a bittersweet reality that, despite their mutual respect, Hopkins and Eastwood have never joined forces on a film. As time marches on, the chance for these two titans to collaborate grows slimmer, leaving fans to wonder what might have been if their paths had crossed on set.