The Role Anthony Hopkins Calls His Hardest and Questions Why He Was Chosen

British actors have long been known for taking on iconic American roles, from Christian Bale as Dick Cheney to Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston. Even superheroes have fallen to international stars, showing that crossing the Atlantic has become a common path for talented performers.

Anthony Hopkins, of course, came of age before this trend became widespread, but his career has included plenty of American characters. His most famous American role is undoubtedly Hannibal Lecter, the serial killer who earned him an Oscar and scared moviegoers for generations.

But looking through his long filmography, it’s clear that Hopkins has taken on many other roles where he had to sound and act like an American. You might think that for a veteran actor like him, this would be straightforward.

But in a 2013 interview with Backstage, Hopkins revealed that the hardest role of his career was actually playing a U.S. President. “I’m not American,” he said plainly, asking, “Why the hell would they cast me in it?” The actor was referring to his performance as Richard Nixon in Oliver Stone’s 1995 film Nixon.

Even though Hopkins gave the role his full effort, he admitted that it was extremely challenging. The three-hour film, combined with the heavy dialogue and the pressure of portraying a well-known figure, made it a monumental task.

The performance earned him his third Academy Award nomination, but Hopkins looked back on the project as a difficult and somewhat bewildering experience. Playing a president is always tricky because audiences already know their voice and mannerisms.

To make it believable, actors often need prosthetics or a performance so strong that viewers forget who they are watching. Hopkins managed this well enough to earn critical attention, even if some critics debated whether his Nixon was a peak performance or over-the-top theatrics.

At 88, Sir Anthony Hopkins continues to stay busy in Hollywood. He recently celebrated 50 years of sobriety and shows no signs of slowing down. Later this year, he will appear in Guy Ritchie’s satirical comedy Wife & Dog, set to release on October 23, acting alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Rosamund Pike, and James Norton.

Hopkins is also set to star in Maserati: The Brothers, a biopic about the Italian businessman behind the famous car company, directed by Bobby Moresco. He recently appeared in the thriller Locked and is continuing his work on portraying composer George Frideric Handel in the upcoming film The King of Covent Garden.

Even after decades in the industry, Hopkins proves that his talent and energy remain strong. From tackling difficult historical figures to embracing new projects, he shows that retirement is not on the horizon.

What do you think about Anthony Hopkins naming Nixon as his toughest role? Share your thoughts in the comments.