The actors Brad Pitt compared to “Djokovic and Federer”
A true leading man of Hollywood, if there ever were one, Brad Pitt has shown the kind of star status that goes back to the Golden Age of American cinema. As far back as the 1990s, it was clear that Pitt was going to become a megastar in the film industry, and he has made good on his early potential several times.
With some classic and timeless performances in the likes of Seven, Fight Club, Inglorious Basterds, The Big Short, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Moneyball, Pitt has established himself as one of the greatest actors of his generation, proving his endless talent beyond the good looks.
Like any great actor should, though, Pitt has always kept his eye on the cinematic medium to see which of his fellow performers are giving the greatest performances. In fact, Pitt once compared two legends of British acting to two of the greatest tennis players of all time, proving his sporting knowledge as well as his love for film.
In a conversation with Anthony Hopkins for Interview magazine, Pitt spoke of his impressions of the 2019 biographical drama The Two Popes, in which Hopkins starred alongside Jonathan Pryce. “So what was it about The Two Popes?” Pitt asked himself. “It’s fascinating. Watching you and Jonathan Pryce was like watching Djokovic and Federer in the finals.”
The Two Popes was directed by Fernando Meirelles and takes place in the Vatican City, following the Vatican leaks scandals. Hopkins plays Pope Benedict XVI, who attempts to convince Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio (played by Pryce) to reconsider his resignation as an archbishop following his own abdication from the papacy.
As Pitt notes, there is a brilliant back-and-forth between Pryce and Hopkins throughout The Two Popes that almost resembles a tennis match, with both actors going on to receive Academy Award nominations for their efforts. “They’re amazing scenes,” Pitt pointed out. “It felt pretty special what you guys were doing.”
Interestingly, Hopkins had never met Pryce before they took on The Two Popes, despite their respective contributions to cinema and the theatre. In terms of film, Pryce has appeared in the likes of Brazil, Evita,Pirates of the Caribbean, The Age of Innocence and Glengarry Glen Ross, while also appeared on the stage in Hamlet and Miss Saigon.
Hopkins, meanwhile is one of the most notable actors in British history, known and loved for his remarkable performances in The Silence of the Lambs, Nixon, The Elephant Man and Bram Stoker’s Dracula as well as also making a name for himself in theatre, particularly from a Shakespearean perspective.
Between Hopkins and Pryce, the acting profession has been absolutely taken care of, leading to both figures earning a knighthood as well as recognition at the Academy and Olivier Awards. Their coming together in The Two Popes was an absolute masterclass, akin to two athletes going head-to-head in a gruelling and intense contest.
Discussing his memories of making the film, Hopkins noted, “I didn’t know Jonathan before. We had such a laugh because he was number one on the call sheet, and I’d say, ‘But I’m a Sir.’ I tried to figure out the truth of it all without going in too deep. I arrived in Rome, and it’s like John Wayne said. Spend one year in Monument Valley, and you don’t have to act.”
