Anthony Hopkins Praises Mads Mikkelsen's Hannibal Lecter: An Appreciation of an Iconic Character

Anthony Hopkins has expressed admiration for Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of the iconic character Hannibal Lecter in NBC's television series Hannibal. In various interviews, Hopkins acknowledged Mikkelsen's unique interpretation of the role, noting that he brought a different style and depth to the character.

Mikkelsen's Unique Interpretation

Hopkins, who is renowned for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in the film The Silence of the Lambs and its sequels, appreciated Mikkelsen's performance as a fresh take on the iconic character. The actor highlighted Mikkelsen's ability to deliver both charm and menace, setting a new standard for the role.

Podcast Interviews

The acknowledgment from Anthony Hopkins was notably given in the podcast Mark and Me Ep36 Mads Mikkelsen. Mads Mikkelsen was interviewed about the podcast around the 11.18-minute mark, where the interviewer, Mark and Me, shared Hopkins' comments about Mikkelsen's portrayal.

Mads Mikkelsen: He’s just wonderful in the part
Interviewer: Do you know that I interviewed Anthony Hopkins last year
Mads Mikkelsen: Yeah, cool.
Interviewer: And he doesn’t do interviews ever for podcasts. And I sat with him and I said: “What do you think of Mads’ take on Hannibal he said he doesn’t watch telly anymore. He does art he paints he does music but he watched one episode and he thought you were absolutely fantastic.”

Mikkelsen was grateful for Hopkins' praise, acknowledging the different pace and approach required for a TV adaptation compared to a film.

Mads Mikkelsen: That is a wonderful thing to know I didn’t know that! Yea well erm well I’m very grateful for that. Its...well he’s aware that its a TV thing so pace is different. We...Everybody had it on the back of their mind. It was such a successful film or films. Especially one of them. So we had to kind of like take off that coat and put on something else ourselves our own coat. And I’m very pleased to hear that he enjoyed watching it.

Impact of Mikkelsen's Portrayal

The praise from Anthony Hopkins adds significant weight to Mikkelsen's portrayal, validating the actor's work and placing it alongside theatrical classics. Mikkelsen's Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal series is not only a reflection of his acting abilities but also a tribute to Hopkins, cementing the legacy of the character across different media formats.

Mikkelsen's Hannibal Lecter, with his unique blend of charm and menace, brought a fresh perspective to the character. This interpretation not only resonated with audiences but also with the person who initially brought Hannibal Lecter to the world of film.

Transition to "West World"

The conversation later moved to Anthony Hopkins' role in the HBO series West World. The transition highlights the versatility and enduring career of an actor like Hopkins, who continues to showcase his talent in different genres and formats.

Transcription and Listening Recommendation

For those interested in the full conversation between Mikkelsen and the interviewer, it is highly recommended to listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. The podcast offers a detailed and engaging discussion on Mikkelsen's portrayal of Hannibal, providing insights into both the actor and the character.

Note: The transcription provided here may contain some inaccuracies due to the complexity of transcribing spoken word, and is intended as a summary for context. For a more accurate and detailed understanding, it is recommended to listen to the full podcast.