During the shoot, people praised......

Not Hopkins..... but Giancarlo Giannini - the actor who played Pazzi.

Hopkins was blown away by Giannini's talent and regarded him as a "great actor" with a "wonderful face".

Source: https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=8TMcAQAAIAAJ&q=anthony+hopkins+great+actor+Giannini+comes+in&dq=anthony+hopkins+great+actor+Giannini+comes+in&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_7aG8h8z1AhUUVpQKHTETDFAQ6AF6BAgEEAM

During the press conference Hopkins also said that he "worships" Giannini and that he has been an admirer since seeing Giannini's Oscar nominated role in "Seven Beauties" in 1975 - long before Hopkins became a known actor. He has admitted to being "intimidated and nervous" during their first scene that they had to do multiple takes as he "kept screwing up" due to his admiration for Giannini.


The director, Ridley Scott said the role of Pazzi was only for Giannini. There was no other choice. Giannini was exactly the right age and Scott has been admiring him for longer than he has been admiring Hopkins. His admiration started after seeing numerous Lina Wertmuller films.

Source: Watch the Directors commentary on Youtube


Finally, Francesca Neri, who plays allegra said Giannini surpassed Hopkins in skill and talent and it was evident on set in her opinion. Giannini was laughing and joking with the crew while Hopkins did not want to be disturbed. When they began to shoot their scenes together, Giannini stole the scenes from Hopkins.

Source: https://www.mydreams.it/un-po-di-francesca-neri/