# The “weird” 2011 movie Anthony Hopkins didn’t want to make: “I was a little reluctant”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-weird-2011-movie-anthony-hopkins-didnt-want-to-make-i-was-a-little-reluctant/
- Published: 2026-11-07T19:45:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T20:25:56+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/weird-2011-movie-anthony-hopkins-didnt-want-to-make/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film, Offbeat, Weird & Viral

## Key points

- Hopkins was hesitant to take another unusual role.
- The Rite’s story and director changed his mind.
- The 2011 horror earned almost $100 million despite poor reviews.

## Summary

Anthony Hopkins initially felt reluctant to take a role in the supernatural horror film The Rite, saying he did not want to play another “weird” character. After reading the script and meeting director Mikael Håfström, he became intrigued by Father Lucas, an experienced exorcist whose own doubts are tested by frightening events.

Released in 2011, the film drew poor reviews from critics but found an audience among horror fans, earning almost $100 million at the box office. Hopkins had already played unsettling characters in films including The Silence of the Lambs, Magic and Audrey Rose; after The Rite, he largely moved away from horror for years, before appearing in the 2025 thriller Locked.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.