Rhys Ifans has been part of major films and franchises for years, but House of the Dragon took his fame to another level. Playing Otto Hightower, the cunning Hand of the King, gave him widespread recognition. The Game of Thrones prequel introduced him to a younger audience and made him a key figure in pop culture.
Ifans has played villains and eccentric characters in movies like The Amazing Spider-Man, The King’s Man, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. However, House of the Dragon cemented his place as a major player in a massive franchise. His portrayal of Otto Hightower brought him attention he hadn’t experienced before.
In a recent interview with Collider, Ifans discussed his career and upcoming projects. One of his biggest takeaways was how much House of the Dragon changed his level of fame. He shared that he now gets recognized more often, especially by younger fans, which wasn’t the case just a few years ago.
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House of the Dragon made Rhys Ifans a bigger star among teens
Credits: HBO
Rhys Ifans has always been a familiar face in Hollywood, but many fans never connected his name to his performances. His roles in franchises like Harry Potter and Spider-Man were memorable, but House of the Dragon introduced him to a new audience. Ifans now finds himself recognized more often, especially by teenagers.
Playing Otto Hightower in the Game of Thrones prequel gave Ifans a different kind of fame. The show’s massive success brought him into the spotlight in ways he hadn’t experienced before. While he has starred in many major films, House of the Dragon turned him into a household name for a new generation of fans.
Ifans’ acting career spans decades, with standout performances in films like The Amazing Spider-Man, The King’s Man, and Venom: The Last Dance. Despite these major roles, he says that House of the Dragon changed how people see him. The political intrigue of the show made Otto Hightower one of his most talked-about roles.
Reflecting on this shift in recognition, Ifans shared his thoughts on how House of the Dragon impacted his public profile. Ifans said:
“Actually, it’s funny, with House of the Dragon, teenagers recognize me. I think maybe a lot of teenagers watch it, possibly. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really engage in any way with social media or anything like that, so I’m always a bit pleasantly behind on how things are grabbing the zeitgeist. I mean, I’m under no illusion now; of course, I know it’s a huge show. But yeah, especially when I’m wearing a beard, I tend to get recognized a little more often than I may have done a couple of years ago. Everyone’s very complimentary about the show and my work in the show, so it’s always flattering. I’m, of course, very pleased it’s a roaring success.”
Ifans will now star as the lead in the upcoming spy-action thriller Inheritance, directed by Neil Burger (Divergent). The film follows Phoebe Dynevor’s Maya, who discovers her father Sam (Ifans) has a hidden past as a spy. Shot across major cities like New York City, Delhi, Cairo, and Seoul, Inheritance also stars Ciara Baxendale and Kersti Bryan.
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