NAMES IN THE NEWS : Hopkins Casts Eye on Directing

PITTSBURGH —  Anthony Hopkins, in town to film a movie and direct a play, said today he hopes to do more directing in coming years.

“I always want to direct when I’m being directed badly. But unfortunately, I’ve been working with some very, very good directors these last few years,” Hopkins said at a news conference in Pittsburgh, where he is filming “The Silence of Lambs.”

The psychological thriller also stars Jodie Foster.

Hopkins is also directing “Dylan Thomas: Return Journey,” a one-man show featuring Bob Kingdom based on the Welsh poet’s work, anecdotes and letters.

The show makes its American debut Feb. 16 in Pittsburgh after having played to British audiences, then goes on to New York.

“I’d always wanted to play Dylan Thomas myself, being Welsh,” Hopkins said. “When I heard Bob Kingdom was doing it, I didn’t have any resentment. I thought, ‘Well, I’m a bit too old to do it now.’ I thought, ‘At least somebody’s got up and done it.’ ”

Hopkins, 52, has appeared in many Shakespeare productions and the films “War and Peace,” “The Bunker” and “The Elephant Man.”