Anthony Hopkins is one of the many acclaimed actors who have passed through the MCU. Marvel Studios has taken it upon themselves to have a long list of incredible talent appearing in their franchise, even if it was only for brief cameos or small roles. The Academy Award-winner was part of Thor, playing none other than Odin, the father of the God of Thunder and Loki, appearing in the first three films in the series.

However, it seems that it was not an experience that marked him in a positive way. Speaking to The New Yorker, Hopkins described his time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in not very encouraging words:

“They put me in armor; they shoved a beard on me. Sit on the throne, shout a bit. If you're sitting in front of a green screen, it's pointless acting it.”

Hopkins is not the first Hollywood legend to criticize the production of superhero movies, great directors like Martin Scorsese have expressed themselves in an unfavorable way regarding the genre, not because of its stories, but rather because of the need to mass produce and that few of movies have their personal brand and are simply another product within a larger franchise.

Chris Hemsworth Defends the MCU

Chris Hemsworth in Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunder
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

For Odin, working in the Marvel Cinematic Universe may not have been one of his best experiences, but it was for his son. Chris Hemsworth, one of the great stars of Marvel Studios, expressed himself in a very different way regarding the process of working on a film in the franchise (via GQ UK):

“I think we just had too much fun. It just became too silly. It’s always hard being in the center of it and having any real perspective…I love the process, it’s always a ride.”

In addition, the Australian actor defended the MCU against the statements of Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino:

“There goes two of my heroes I won’t work with. I guess they’re not a fan of me. I’m thankful that I have been a part of something that kept people in cinemas. Now, whether or not those films were to the detriment of other films, I don’t know. I don’t love when we start scrutinizing each other when there’s so much fragility in the business and in this space of the arts as it is… I say that less to the directors who made those comments, who are all, by the way, still my heroes, and in a heartbeat I would leap to work with any of them. But I say it more to the broader opinion around that topic. I don’t think any of us have the answer, but we’re trying.”

The Thor saga has become one of the longest within the MCU with four films, although the latest installment, Thor: Love & Thunder, was highly criticized. For now, it is unknown if Hemsworth will return in the future of the franchise, since the vast majority of the original Avengers have already left the MCU behind to give way to a new generation of heroes.