More than one actor has played legendary director Alfred Hitchcock through the years. But now comes someone who brings years of experience playing real people and some Oscar-winning talent to boot, as we get our first look at Anthony Hopkins as the man himself in Sacha Gervasi’s Hitchcock.

Take a gander at the picture side by side with a shot of the original Hitch for comparison. You can also click here to be taken to a bigger version over at People’s site.

Anvil! The Story Of Anvil director Gervasi started the cameras rolling last Friday. Formerly titled Alfred Hitchcock And The Making Of Psycho, it charts the director's struggle to get the iconic slasher made when everyone else considered it beneath him.

Joining Hopkins are Helen Mirren as wife Alma, Scarlett Johansson as Psycho star Janet Leigh, James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins, Jessica Biel as Vera Miles and Wallace Langham as designer Saul Bass. The most recent name to be added to the cast list is the former Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio, who will play the movie's writer, Joe Stefano.

Hitchcock should arrive next year, but the picture certainly bodes well so far. What say you lot?