Movies

Anthony Hopkins’ Surprising Role in Mythic Quest Revealed!

BBG News

If you’ve followed “Mythic Quest” from its first episode to the last one, you might find it intriguing to know that Sir Anthony Hopkins made an appearance on the series, even though his character wasn’t visible. Debuted on Apple TV+ in 2020, this humorous show revolved around a video game development studio, which was responsible for creating the popular MMORPG named “Mythic Quest.” While the virtual game played a significant role within the series, the core narrative centered around the complex dynamics between Ian Grimm (played by Rob McElhenney), the creator of “Mythic Quest,” and Poppy Li (portrayed by Charlotte Nicdao), the lead engineer. Unfortunately, the production of “Mythic Quest” came to an end after completing four seasons.

Initially, a quirky sitcom set in an office might not appear to be something that acclaimed actor Anthony Hopkins would be drawn to; after all, he’s known for his powerful performances in heavy, dramatic roles such as the cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs” and a man dealing with dementia in “The Father”. Even his occasional TV appearances, like Dr. Robert Ford in “Westworld”, lean towards the ominous and intense. However, surprisingly, he seamlessly fit into the eccentric atmosphere of “Mythic Quest”.

Anthony Hopkins Was The Narrator Who Explained Mythic Quest’s Everlight Holiday

He Was The Perfect Voice Actor For The Job

You might not have known that Anthony Hopkins was part of Mythic Quest, as he didn’t make a physical appearance on the show. Instead, he served as the narrator who elucidated the history behind the Mythic Quest game’s Everlight festivities, where a mysterious darkness overpowers a realm, causing despair among its inhabitants. As rumors of a potent sword called the Blade of Light surface, the king organizes a competition to find a worthy warrior. In the end, it is the smallest contestant who ignites hope and triumphs over the darkness.

Absolutely, this episode serves as a prelude to the actual world of the Mythic Quest characters, where they engage in an annual Everlight celebration and tournament held at their studio office. As you might expect, plenty of laughter fills the air as Danny Pudi’s character Brad attempts to banish the New Year-like festivities for good. It’s a delightful episode that reflects the joy of being together again after spending so much time apart during the COVID-19 pandemic. The origin story of Everlight may be intentionally over-the-top and generic, but F. Murray Abraham’s narration infuses it with the grandeur suitable for an Ian Grimm production.

How Rob McElhenney Booked Anthony Hopkins For The Show

Another Mythic Quest Actor Knew Hopkins’ Lawyer

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I, the co-creator of Mythic Quest, went on a quest to find a seasoned British thespian for our narrator role – contenders included Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen. The reason behind this search? I was determined to cast someone with a bit of weight, someone who could elevate the episode to something truly special. I wanted it to feel like a grand cinematic experience right from the opening scene. (Sources: Variety)

Nevertheless, it was Craig Mazin, both an actor portraying game tester Lou and a writer for the show, who stepped up with Anthony Hopkins. This was because Mazin had a professional relationship with Hopkins through his lawyer. Within just a few minutes of speaking to Hopkins, McElhenney found their ideal narrator. As McElhenney stated, this connection quickly led them to their perfect choice for the narrator role.

Craig Mazin expressed, ‘I happen to know Anthony Hopkins’ legal representative, why don’t we give him a call?’ In about 20 minutes, I was already in conversation with Anthony Hopkins himself.

In my own words, here’s how I might rephrase that:

I received four takes from Hopkins, each one flawless. The funny thing was when we finally got him on the phone, I asked, “What time is it over there?” Little did I know, he was in Los Angeles all along! As it turns out, his street isn’t far from my own – only a block and a half away. I wasn’t joking when I said that!

“Everlight” Was One Of Two Mythic Quest Pandemic Specials

The First Was “Quarantine”

During 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted filming worldwide, even affecting new series like “Mythic Quest” which debuted in February, the creative team behind the show chose an innovative approach. Instead of halting production, they filmed a special episode titled “Quarantine”. This unique episode depicted Ian, Poppy, and the rest of the studio working from home, attending virtual meetings – a scenario many of us could relate to during that time. Remarkably, for an episode primarily set on video conferencing, it proved to be one of the most emotionally resonant in the entire series.

Among the standout episodes of “Mythic Quest”, the critically acclaimed “Quarantine” struck a chord by humorously portraying one of the most terrifying periods in recent memory – the pandemic. This success led to the creation of another special, titled “Evermore”. Rob McElhenney commented, “After making an episode where we filmed ourselves with iPhones at home, we decided to do something completely different: let’s go big instead.” With the assistance of Anthony Hopkins, it seems that goal was achieved.

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2025-06-01 02:27

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