Sorry, I was going to put a few very nice pictures on here, but they're going to have to wait because this thing is buggering up again. Anyway, I found an interview with Gaspard (in French) and this is the link: http://www.allocine.fr/film/video_gen_cfilm=61260.html. Just click on 'voir l'interview'. I found a transcription (because I'm too lazy to translate it myself!), but I will have to check it at some point. Apparently, it's not incredibly accurate, but I think it should give the genral gist:

"It's a role that's isn't easy to master and figure out, that's actually why I hesitated because it was hard to master a role like this since anthony hopkins did it so well. I'm a little afraid of what it's going to turn out like and what people are going to think and after all i am a french person in an english movie.But im really happy to have done it and it was a beautiful experience. I really admired Anthony Hopkins with his performances in the 3 films. It was really a joy to be able to take on this role. Now we will see how it turns out to be.
Anthony Hoppkins has nothing to do in this movie since it is about when he was young. I was supposed to meet him and talk to him but I couldn't due to schedule difficulties. So I have no clue what he is thinking about this project."