For generations, British actors have prided themselves on their rigorous classical training and flawless elocution, qualities valued by Merchant Ivory and the Hollywood Foreign Press. But as our most esteemed Anglican actors reach late middle age, there inevitably comes a time when they decide that the Bard and Jane Austen aren’t gonna buy a summer house, so why not put breeding aside and make a blockbuster or four? Luckily, it’s easy for them to make a quick buck: Hollywood studios are always trying to recruit an Oscar-nominated Brit to lend some class to their four-quadrant fare, whether it’s a shameless sequel (Jeremy Irons in Pink Panther 2) or a video-game adaptation (Ben Kingsley in Prince of Persia). The Harry Potter franchise has been the ideal annuity plan, as it’s both well-paying and respectable, but with the final film bowing this year, these thespians need to know their other options. So in honor of Anthony Hopkins’s role in this week’s horror release The Rite, here’s a quick guide to the seven best cash-in character types for older British actors (a catch-all, we should note, that includes Scots and Irishmen). And remember: There’s no need for shame in a world where Peter O’Toole once took second billing to Lassie.
EXAMPLES: Ian McKellen in The Da Vinci Code, Michael Caine in Inception, Michael Gambon in The Omen, John Hurt in Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Richard Attenborough in Jurassic Park
CHARACTER NOTES: Why not put that degree from Oxford or Cambridge to work? In Hollywood, Nicolas Cage can be an astrophysicist and Robin Williams can study nineteenth-century poetry — but fields like dinosaur genetics, Holy Grail lineage, extraterrestrial artifacts, satanic archeology, and dream architecture can only be truly understood and explained by someone with a British accent.
REQUIRED SKILLS: Delivering dialogue while flipping frantically through textbooks; speaking Latin gibberish; intoning the phrase “Do you understand what this means?” with convincing urgency
EXAMPLES: Laurence Olivier in Clash of the Titans (1981), Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson in Clash of the Titans (2010), Anthony Hopkins in Thor, John Hurt in Immortals
CHARACTER NOTES: If there’s one thing in the world that’s a bigger ego boost than being knighted, it’s playing God. Ancient mythology is making a big comeback in Hollywood these days, with Wrath of the Titans, Thor, and Immortals in the pipeline. And why not? Characters like Zeus and Odin are a win-win for audiences: They’re oversexed, omnipotent warmongers who use lightning bolts like Molotov cocktails, and yet audiences leave the movie feeling smarter. Especially if the Greek or Norse god sports an inexplicable British accent.
REQUIRED SKILLS: Intoning commands from a raised dais; refusing to crack a smile, even when ordering the release of the Kraken
EXAMPLES: Anthony Hopkins in The Rite , Richard Burton in The Exorcist II , Tom Wilkinson in The Exorcism of Emily Rose , Ewan McGregor in Angels and Demons (He’s starting young.)
CHARACTER NOTES: Most Catholic priests anticipate a quiet life of prayer and contemplation — but the Vatican has something bigger in mind for aging British actors who don the collar. The conflicted priest is at the center of the battle between science and reason; he must convince the world that demons exist, without losing any of his God-given authority. Only his inherent Britishness stands between faith and utter madness.
REQUIRED SKILLS: Memorizing Bible verses (King James version only); transitioning quickly from placid self-assurance to wide-eyed horror; dramatic recitation of the phrase “Dear God, no!”
EXAMPLES: Ben Kingsley in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Peter O’Toole in Lassie, Jeremy Irons in Dungeons and Dragons, Christopher Lee in The Golden Compass
CHARACTER NOTES: The power-hungry aristocrat is the Hollywood take on Macbeth — and just as the Scottish Play carries a curse, so does any actor who accepts this role. Peter O’Toole will forever be Lawrence of Arabia … and the Duke who locks Lassie in a dungeon. Ben Kingsley will always be Gandhi — which will always be followed on his résumé by the video-game-inspired villain Nizam. There is much bluster and little logic to this character, who wants only to improve his station by the most villainous means possible. However, if you don’t mind wearing swishy robes and shouting lines like “Now is your time to die!” it’s a solid day’s work.
REQUIRED SKILLS: Histrionic delivery; good peripheral vision (to address those around you from the corner of your eye)
EXAMPLES: Michael Caine in The Muppet Christmas Carol , Patrick Stewart in A Christmas Carol (1999), Tim Curry in A Christmas Carol (animated, 1997), Simon Callow in Christmas Carol: The Movie (animated, 2001)
CHARACTER NOTES: For British performers feeling cynical about their advancing careers, here’s an always in-demand role that requires almost no acting. What Hollywood actor can’t relate to Scrooge’s cynical attitude toward money, disregard for plebeians, and traumatizing childhood? A few “bah humbug!”s and you’re done. Just be sure to do the giddy changed-man scene after you’ve cashed your paycheck.
REQUIRED SKILLS: Holding a scrunched-up face to indicate miserly nature; writing with a quill; emoting in a nightgown
EXAMPLES: Alec Guinness in Star Wars, John Hurt in Hellboy , Patrick Stewart in X-Men, Michael Caine in Batman: The Dark Knight
CHARACTER NOTES: Your days of playing the hero are behind you — so why not play the father the hero never had? The Self-Sacrificing Mentor sees the potential in his young charge, and uses his esoteric knowledge to develop the protagonist’s blindfolded-ball-swiping or mutant ice-melting skills. But the real reason he sticks around is that he sees something deep inside the innocent hero: a predisposal toward evil. If the mentor isn’t there to provide a moral compass, he knows that this darkness could take over by the third sequel. His selfless dedication leads him to make the ultimate sacrifice: either death, or spending his entire super-genius life as a butler or high-school principal.
REQUIRED SKILLS: A strict voice paired with lovingly crinkled eyes; long-suffering posture
EXAMPLES: Peter O’Toole in Troy, Sean Connery in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, Richard Griffiths in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Anthony Hopkins in Alexander
CHARACTER NOTES: Every historical epic needs a king, and every king is British. This is a fact. The incidental king drops by for one or two scenes to establish gravitas, then hightails it back to his palace. The role of aging royalty is also a viable option for older British actresses. Hell, it once netted Judi Dench an Oscar.
REQUIRED SKILLS: Mingled disdain and amusement; brief but affecting oratory