After recently portraying a Roman emperor in a TV series, Sir Anthony Hopkins is set to take on a new role in a biopic about one of Italy’s most iconic families—the founders of Maserati. According to Variety, the legendary actor will star in Maserati: The Brothers, a film directed by Bobby Moresco, known for his 2022 docudrama Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend.
A new chapter in Italian automotive history
The upcoming film will be produced by Andrea Iervolino through his newly established company, The Andrea Iervolino Company. While his name may not ring a bell for everyone, Iervolino’s previous work with LBE Group includes producing the documentary about Ferruccio Lamborghini, as well as last year’s film about Enzo Ferrari, starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz. With Maserati: The Brothers, all three of Italy’s luxury auto brands—Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati—will now have films dedicated to their famous founders.
A dream come true: Hopkins joins the cast
Sir Anthony Hopkins, at 86 years old, will play the role of an Italian financier who provides the funding for the three Maserati brothers. He’s the first actor to be announced for the project. Andrea Iervolino expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying, “Having Anthony Hopkins on board is a dream come true. His unmatched ability to portray complex characters will undoubtedly elevate our story, and we can’t wait to see the depth he brings to the role.”
Filming set to begin soon in Italy
Production is expected to start soon in Bologna, the Italian city where the Maserati brothers—Alfieri, Ettore, and Ernesto—founded their car company in 1914. Today, the company’s headquarters is in Modena. The Maserati brand, famous for its luxury cars, is instantly recognizable by the trident logo, which was inspired by the Neptune Fountain in Bologna.
The Maserati brothers: a legacy of racing and luxury
The story of Maserati is steeped in racing history. Alfieri Maserati, one of the founders, was also a famous race car driver. He drove the first Grand Prix Maserati car, the “Tipo 26,” in 1927 but was involved in a near-fatal crash during the Messina Cup. He passed away five years later at the age of 44 due to complications from the accident. Despite his untimely death, Alfieri’s legacy lived on through the company.
Ettore and Ernesto, the other two founding brothers, sold their majority shares in the company in 1937 but continued to work within the business for years afterward. The Maserati family had a total of seven sons, although only Alfieri, Ettore, and Ernesto were involved in founding the company. Three other brothers—Carlo, Bindo, and Mario—also contributed to the business, while the seventh Maserati son passed away as a child.
Alfieri, the fourth-born, was named after the brother who died. In 1987, a memorial plaque was placed at the birthplace of the Maserati brothers. Two years later, the Technical Institute of Voghera was renamed “Alfieri Maserati Technical Institute,” and a street in Bologna, Via Maserati, was also named in his honor.
Anthony Hopkins’ second Italian role in two years
For Anthony Hopkins, this will be his second film project in Italy in as many years. He recently played the Roman emperor Vespasian in the series Those About to Die, which was filmed at the iconic Cinecittà Studios in Rome.
Conclusion: Maserati’s story comes to the big screen
With Maserati: The Brothers, Anthony Hopkins is set to bring to life a key figure in the history of one of Italy’s most prestigious car brands. This film will mark another addition to the growing list of movies about the legendary founders of Italian luxury car companies, and Hopkins’ role is sure to add depth and gravitas to the story of the Maserati brothers.
Fact check
- Sir Anthony Hopkins will star in Maserati: The Brothers, a film about the Maserati family.
- The film will be directed by Bobby Moresco and produced by Andrea Iervolino.
- Maserati was founded in 1914 by Alfieri, Ettore, and Ernesto Maserati in Bologna, Italy.
- Anthony Hopkins recently filmed Those About to Die in Italy, marking his second Italian project in two years.
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