RED 2 : Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones interviews

Anthony Hopkins

What was your journey like to get here? Did they approach you about starring in this film?   Yes it was last year I was making Thor 2, and I met the film’s new director Dean Parisot in Los Angeles. I’d seen the first RED, which I thought was terrific, and he asked if I would be interested in a sequel. So they sent me the script and I said yes from there.

How would you describe your character?   I play a crazy nuclear physicist. He’s completely off the wall, a very eccentric guy. He’s made a nuclear bomb, and they don’t want him to give out the secrets to the Russians.

What is it about Bruce Willis that makes you enjoy working with him so much?   He’s just a very easy going guy. A wonderful actor – I’ve seen so many of his films. I really liked the Sixth Sense. I thought it was terrific. And Death Becomes Her with Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep. I’m also a great fan of Die Hard… I remember watching it in 1990 when it first came out; I’ve always enjoyed it.

And of course you’ve worked with John Malkovich before…   Yes I worked with John Malkovich on a film called Beowulf, so I know him well. Like Bruce, he’s a really nice guy to work with. The cast was one of the reasons I signed up to this project, you really need to surround yourself with people like these, and nobody has disappointed me.

RED 2 seems to be a bit of a departure from your more serious roles, I’d imagine that must make for a refreshing change?   Dean has to be one of the best directors I have worked with, he is so relaxed. It’s actually a great honour for me to be working with the likes of Bruce Willis and John Malkovich. Bruce and everyone are all great guys to work with. It’s fun. I have to be honest and say this is the best time I’ve had working in a movie for years.