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Anthony Hopkins Cast as a Villain in 'Arabian Nights' Remake

by Ethan Anderton
May 9, 2010

In November we got word that the Hollywood remake machine was pumping out a new remake of the 1942 classic Arabian Nights courtesy of director Chuck Russell (The Scorpion King). The story follows a young commander (played by Liam Hemsworth, brother of Thor's Chris Hemsworth) who, after his king is killed in a coup, joins forces with Sinbad, Ali Baba and the Genie from the magic lamp to rescue the queen. Though Russell's involvement left something to be desired, Hemsworth makes things a little bit more interesting as does news from Heat Vision today that Anthony Hopkins is in negotiations to play the villain in the film.

Hopkins will play Pharotu, an evil sorcerer who killed Sinbad’s love, a mermaid, and is now amassing more magic for himself. First it was liver, fava beans and a nice chianti and now it's just magic. Is there anything Hopkins doesn't want (besides his involvement in The Wolfman)? Russell co-wrote the script with Barry P. Ambrose, and production is slated to begin sometimes towards the end of summer. It's trivially interesting to note that Hopkins also stars in Thor with Liam's brother Chris Hemsworth, and if that first image from Marvel's comic book film is any indication, Liam is going to have to kick some serious ass in Arabian Nights to keep up with his brother. Anyone looking forward to this big budget action adventure remake?

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Daniel Felts

Hopkins is a great actor.
Hattori Hanzo

As long as it's not Sinbad the so called comedian it works for me.
Spider94

eh sinbad the comedian in this movie doesnt sound like a bad idea...it just might work!
Xerxex

why remakes? Why not Arabia Nights of this era? No just remakes and nothing new added just a sad attempt at trying to live up to a film of old. Hopkins won't save this movie. The director did The Scorpion King. Next they are gonna remake Werner Herzog's "Aguirre, the Wrath of God." Stop remaking, write a new script based on Arabian Nights and try to create a film worthy of the original film while making it better than the original film! Don't just slap on a young lead, a bad filmmaker, and freaky deaky 3-D and cash in on a classic!
i'm captain kirk!

Why don't they just stick "Remake" on the end of every movie title these days?
Greg Tron

This movis is going to be amazing. Anthony Hopkins as a magician! Wow! Cannot wait to see it! The Rite was fantastic because he was in it. Everything he touches turns to gold!