Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius

Posted by Va'al Apr 9, 2017 at 1:11pm CDT 37,728 views

View Discussion Sign in or Join to reply

Ever had a doubt that director Michael Bay is a genius? New live action movie Transformers: The Last Knight cast member Anthony Hopkins thinks so! In a recent interview with Yahoo News, the actor behind Sir Edmund Burton - a historian of sorts in the movie - compares Bay to Oliver Stone and Steven Spielberg, talks about him chatting about getting the right look and design for Cybertronians, and praises the brilliance of 'savants' like the explosive director.

Watch the interview embedded below, and join the conversation in the Energon Pub!

“I thought, ‘This guy’s a genius, he really is,‘” Hopkins told Yahoo Movies (watch above) last week at CinemaCon about his impression of Bay after meeting the director over breakfast to discuss the project. “He’s the same ilk as Oliver Stone and [Steven] Spielberg and [Martin] Scorsese. Brilliance. Savants, really, they are. He’s a savant.”

In Last Knight, Hopkins, 79, stars opposite the returning Mark Wahlberg as Sir Edmund Burton, an astronomer and historian who lives with Autobots on a sprawling British countryside estate.

More Bots. More News. More Awesome.

Christmas in July- New Transformers Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments have been Released and Available

Jul 17, 2025 1,595 views

The Father of Transformers G1 Lore has Passed Away

Jul 3, 2025 5,576 views

Inside the Minds Behind Transformers: Exclusive Roundtable with Budiansky, Friedman & Dille

Jun 29, 2025 25,582 views

Josh Cooley and Michael Bay in Talks with Paramount for More Live Action Transformers Films

Jun 27, 2025 30,910 views

Highlights of Today’s Transformers Studio Series Stream

Jun 24, 2025 55,776 views

Paramount has No Interest for a Sequel to Transformers One

Jun 14, 2025 81,859 views

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by YoungPrime Apr 9, 2017

Bay isn't a genius.

His last 3 non-Transformer films have all flopped!

People just happen to love giant Transformering Robots more than they hate Bay. But due to Paramount's current downward spiral financially that may change as soon as this Summer.

I look forward in seeing Anthony Hopkins in Thor 3 (Ragnarok) but that's where it stops this year.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Apr 9, 2017

YoungPrime wrote:His last 3 non-Transformer films have all flopped!

No they haven't. They've all ranked in the millions and billions and then some. Even if they weren't good movies, that's not flopping.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by SW's SilverHammer Apr 9, 2017

How much money did they pay Anthony Hopkins?

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Deadput Apr 9, 2017

YoungPrime wrote:Bay isn't a genius.

His last 3 non-Transformer films have all flopped!

People just happen to love giant Transformering Robots more than they hate Bay. But due to Paramount's current downward spiral financially that may change as soon as this Summer.

I look forward in seeing Anthony Hopkins in Thor 3 (Ragnarok) but that's where it stops this year.

Dude I know you got this weird obsession and hate boner with these movies and Bay that makes you so compelled to take a dump on us and other people who like these movies like we are wrong or something and such but when you have to make up false facts to try to stir the bee hive here it kinda starts to get ridiculous.

Just because one money made less then the last one doesn't mean it's a flop if it was we would absolutely not be at movie 5 and people like Hopkins and Peter Cullen himself would not praise Bay since there are people who also have hated on him such as Hugo who is kind of a sour person.

Maybe you should take a break or actually try to be thoughtful in your posts because maybe more people would like you and I don't mean that as an insult I mean that as genuine advice.

Anyways there are people who do like Bay he is a cool guy and he is an animal person as well as he donates to charities.

Edit: I just misread your post I thought you said that his last three transformers movies flopped I did not realize that you meant NON transformer movies.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Deadput Apr 9, 2017

SW's SilverHammer wrote:How much money did they pay Anthony Hopkins?

It's called opinions some people actually do not hate Bay.

He does make visually stunning movies though even if you don't like explosions there are other visuals that are great and I'm not talking about CGI since Bay is very good with practical effects.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Nexus Knight Apr 9, 2017

Deadput wrote:
SW's SilverHammer wrote:How much money did they pay Anthony Hopkins?

It's called opinions some people actually do not hate Bay.

He does make visually stunning movies though even if you don't like explosions there are other visuals that are great and I'm not talking about CGI since Bay is very good with practical effects.

I respect him as a director. Are the movies great? Uh... aheh... by no means. But, tbf, that is partially the writers' faults. And I'm not big on Bay's pandering via "cheesecake". But he puts his heart into his work and he doesn't seem (afaik) like an asshole. His movies, while lacking in story (hopefully not for long...) and characters, are pretty and fun to watch. If you disagree, that's your opinion and I respect you for that. Just plz respectful to those that don't have the same views?

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Deadput Apr 9, 2017

Nexus Knight wrote:
I respect him as a director. Are the movies great? Uh... aheh... by no means. But, tbf, that is partially the writers' faults. And I'm not big on Bay's pandering via "cheesecake". But he puts his heart into his work and he doesn't seem (afaik) like an asshole. His movies, while lacking in story (hopefully not for long...) and characters, are pretty and fun to watch. If you disagree, that's your opinion and I respect you for that. Just plz respectful to those that don't have the same views?

Are the movies great? Well no their not the best thing since sliced bread that I know but they are entertaining which is the most important part of a movie to me and I guess a lot of people too because why would some people enjoy watching bad cheap movies otherwise?

I don't think I or my family have as much fun in the theater as we do with Transformers actually I brought them with me to go to the Imax fan event last week and they enjoyed what they saw it helps that my Mum is a big fan of knights too.

Luckily we are starting to get less of some of the worse bits of the movies like the cheesecake stuff.

I respect opinions most of the time but when people are like

SW's SilverHammer wrote:How much money did they pay Anthony Hopkins?

Is this an opinion or a jab at people who like Bay?

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Burn Apr 9, 2017

Whether he's a genius or not is subjective. I mean I think some of you are total ****, (and I'm sure the feeling is mutual, probably more so after you read the rest of this post) but that doesn't make it fact.

What we have in this instance is a veteran actor, a man who has worked in the movie industry for decades with various Directors sharing his opinion on Bay and his directing style.

Now for those who want to tear down Bay, tell me something. What makes you an expert?

Have YOU worked for multiple directors? Have YOU seen Bay at work? Have YOU come up with new ways to shoot? Have YOU helped develop new digital cameras to create visuals that haven't been done before?

No?

Because Bay has.

And that's why Hopkins has said what he said. He's worked with Bay and what he does to achieve the end result.

So you don't like the movies? Well good on you. Just because YOU don't like them doesn't mean they're bad. And blaming Bay? You are aware that there's more than one person involved in making these movies yeah?

Honestly, it's time some of you got the fuck over this Bay hating thing. It's pathetic.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Deadput Apr 9, 2017

Burn wrote:"Long post with harsh but valuable wisdom"

The people who have hated him for these 10 years now for not catering to them are not going to change sadly because most people stick with their opinions whether good or bad.

I see people arguing with those such as Young Prime on the other Transformers fan websites and they just keep on going because of their point of views things is ts alright not to like someone's work and depending on why the person themselves but it will never be alright to start hating and tearing apart someone's different opinion because of it.

Unless it's something actually morally wrong like someone thinks murdering puppies is a good thing then you can question thier opinions. and their sanity too.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by YoungPrime Apr 9, 2017

Sabrblade wrote:
YoungPrime wrote:His last 3 non-Transformer films have all flopped!
No they haven't. They've all ranked in the millions and billions and then some. Even if they weren't good movies, that's not flopping.

Correction....

"Pain and gain" may have ranged somewhere between breaking even and turning a small profit (courtesy of The Rock). The other 2 most recent Non-TF films directed by Bay within the last 12 years (13 Hours and The Island) have both Flopped...DO THE MATH! That track record is not the making of a "genius Director". Even as a producer that last Turtle sequel under-performed.

Again...No issue with Anthony Hopkins, loved is most of his previous work. Bay's crap is where it stops.

What else is playing that weekend...?

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Burn Apr 9, 2017

YoungPrime wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
YoungPrime wrote:His last 3 non-Transformer films have all flopped!
No they haven't. They've all ranked in the millions and billions and then some. Even if they weren't good movies, that's not flopping.

Correction....

"Pain and gain" may have ranged somewhere between breaking even and turning a small profit (courtesy of The Rock). The other 2 most recent Non-TF films directed by Bay within the last 12 years (13 Hours and The Island) have both Flopped...DO THE MATH! That track record is not the making of a "genius Director". Even as a producer that last Turtle sequel under-performed.

Again...No issue with Anthony Hopkins, loved is most of his previous work. Bay's crap is where it stops.

What else is playing that weekend...?

13 Hours actually turned a profit, so not sure (Budget $50,000,000 (estimate), Gross Takings US alone - $52,853,219 + Worldwide - $69,411,370). So maybe YOU do the maths.

-edit-

Now I do have the giggles.

Pain & Gain
Budget - $26,000,000 (estimated)
Gross - $49,874,933 (USA) + $86,175,291 (worldwide)
Opening weekend - $20,244,505 (USA)

So not only did Pain & Gain make a "small" profit, it nearly made its money back on the opening weekend. :lol:

As for The Island, every director has a bomb. Clearly he's bounced back from it though.

So keep stretching there to justify your hate for Bay. It gives me giggles.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Kurona Apr 9, 2017

Look, dude... I know the movies are bad, but you don't have to try and prove they were unsuccessful. The two don't always go hand in hand.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by YoungPrime Apr 9, 2017

SW's SilverHammer wrote:How much money did they pay Anthony Hopkins?

Hmmm..... Enough that it's safe to be believe that "genius" quote was part of his script via marketing.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Deadput Apr 9, 2017

YoungPrime wrote:
SW's SilverHammer wrote:How much money did they pay Anthony Hopkins?

Hmmm..... Enough that it's safe to be believe that "genius" quote was part of his script via marketing.

I know you the word opinion doesn't exist in your vocabulary but this is pushing it.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by YoungPrime Apr 9, 2017

Burn wrote:
YoungPrime wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
YoungPrime wrote:His last 3 non-Transformer films have all flopped!
No they haven't. They've all ranked in the millions and billions and then some. Even if they weren't good movies, that's not flopping.

Correction....

"Pain and gain" may have ranged somewhere between breaking even and turning a small profit (courtesy of The Rock). The other 2 most recent Non-TF films directed by Bay within the last 12 years (13 Hours and The Island) have both Flopped...DO THE MATH! That track record is not the making of a "genius Director". Even as a producer that last Turtle sequel under-performed.

Again...No issue with Anthony Hopkins, loved is most of his previous work. Bay's crap is where it stops.

What else is playing that weekend...?

13 Hours actually turned a profit, so not sure (Budget $50,000,000 (estimate), Gross Takings US alone - $52,853,219 + Worldwide - $69,411,370). So maybe YOU do the maths.

-edit-

Now I do have the giggles.

Pain & Gain
Budget - $26,000,000 (estimated)
Gross - $49,874,933 (USA) + $86,175,291 (worldwide)
Opening weekend - $20,244,505 (USA)

So not only did Pain & Gain make a "small" profit, it nearly made its money back on the opening weekend.
As for The Island, every director has a bomb. Clearly he's bounced back from it though.

So keep stretching there to justify your hate for Bay. It gives me giggles.

No disrespect "Mr Admin" but it doesn't sound like you know how Hollywood studio's turn a profit!

Marketing/Advertising isn't part of a films budget but you still have to factor that in which could range anywhere from half to the same amount as the budget to make the film. Plus Hollywood doesn't get the full box office back WW. Domestically they'd be lucky to get 55% the other 45% goes to theaters and oversea's they'd be lucky to get a 3rd of the box office (only 25% in China according to reports) there after "expenses". Google it!

In fact you can start by reading here: http://io9.gizmodo.com/5747305/how-much ... profitable

You're welcome! 8-)

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Kurona Apr 9, 2017

While put a bit rudely; it is true that when you're part of a movie, any interview will generally have you praising it no matter what - sometimes to ridiculous extents. This is why I tend to stay away from these sort of interviews for anything; it's impossible to tell if the actor is honestly giving their actual honest opinion or if they're just trying to big up the movie because working on it is kind of their job.

Case in point; only after he left the movies and his contract was over did Hugo Weaving say his role as Megatron in Transformers (do we have a name for this besides just 'transformers'? Honestly curious), ROTF and DOTM felt unfulfilling.

It's just what happens. I'm not gonna criticise Hopkins here or anything - honestly that'd be dickish either way - this is just standard procedure for any modern movie. Tells us nothing. Now if his contract ends and he still says Bay's a genius? THAT will be interesting and I'll be all ears...

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Burn Apr 9, 2017

Your link didn't want to work for me "Mr YoungPrime". It insisted on redirecting to Gizmodo Australia.

But I stand corrected regardless, clearly you're a expert on all things Hollywood. Perhaps you'd care to enlighten us as to how you came to have such a qualified opinion on all things Hollywood production and what makes a good or bad Director?

Or are you still trying to make your OPINION a fact?

Regardless, his financial bombs are still outweighed by his financial successes. Unless you have something to prove me wrong on that as well.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by partholon Apr 9, 2017

the 20 min clip with cogman and co has leaked all over youtube.

dunno how long theyll stay up before copyright protection gets em pulled but if you do a casual search on it you should find em prety easy now.

qualitys crap but what do you expect from a phone.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Deadput Apr 9, 2017

partholon wrote:the 20 min clip with cogman and co has leaked all over youtube.

dunno how long theyll stay up before copyright protection gets em pulled but if you do a casual search on it you should find em prety easy now.

qualitys crap but what do you expect from a phone.

Of course the people had to be disrespectful and record it even when officials said not to right in the theater.

Also a failure on the guards but I don't blame them since you can't keep track of them all.

Re: Anthony Hopkins Joined Transformers: The Last Knight Because Bay is a Genius (view post)

Comment by Carnivius_Prime Apr 10, 2017

Kurona wrote:Case in point; only after he left the movies and his contract was over did Hugo Weaving say his role as Megatron in Transformers (do we have a name for this besides just 'transformers'? Honestly curious), ROTF and DOTM felt unfulfilling.

Was Weaving ever on set or just in a booth recording voice work after filming was all done?

Click here to view additional comments about this topic ...