Oscar process is 'disgusting' says Hopkins

Sir Anthony Hopkins has branded the Academy Award system 'disgusting'.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Hopkins – who is being tipped for a nomination for his role as Alfred Hitchcock in director Sacha Gervasi's new biopic – took Hollywood to task.

[Related story: Hitchcock biopic to enter Oscar race]

“ I've been around - I've got the Oscar myself for 'Silence of the Lambs' - and having to be nice to people and to be charming and flirting with them... oh, come on,” he said.

“People go out of their way to flatter the nominating body and I think it's kind of disgusting. That's always been against my nature.

“You know, kissing the backside of the authorities that can make or break it; I can't stand all that. I find it nauseating to watch and I think it's disgusting to behold. People grovelling around and kissing the backsides of famous producers and all that.

“It makes me want to throw up, it really does. It's sick-making. I've seen it so many times. I saw it fairly recently, last year. Some great producer-mogul and everyone kisses this guy's backside. I think, 'What are they doing? Don't they have any self respect?' I wanted to say, 'F**k off'.”

But despite his disdain for that part of the movie business, the 74-year-old Welshman says he's no plans to retire.

“I don't ever want to retire. I did a few years ago. I didn't actually plan it, but I thought, 'Maybe I should just slow down and call it a day'. My wife said to me, 'You do that, you will die. You can't retire. It's your work, it's your life. You love working'.

“When men retire - particularly men - if they get out too early, they usually die of stress or loneliness or they drink too much or their hearts give out. I think a certain amount of stress in life is good. The stress of just working, which takes effort - I think it keeps you going.”

'Hitchcock' is out in the UK on February 8.