John Lithgow Felt Like a ‘Nobody’ in Italy with Conclave Costar Stanley Tucci, Who’s Treated Like a ‘Beatle’ (Exclusive)

Exploring Italy with Stanley Tucci is a humorously humbling experience according to John Lithgow, who felt no amore from fans.

In the new issue of PEOPLE, the six-time Emmy-winner and two-time Oscar nominee recalls going out with Conclave costars Ralph Fiennes, 61, and Tucci, 63 — whose food and travel series, Searching for Italy, ran for two seasons on CNN — during breaks from filming the drama.

“It made you feel like a total nobody to walk down the streets of Rome with Stanley,” says Lithgow, 79, chuckling at the memory.

“On the way home from work one day, at like 6:30 p.m., we stopped off to buy some wine. We'd all been invited to the same party, so Stanley, Ralph Fiennes, and I went into a wine shop,” he recalls. 

“We just had the car stop and let us out, and we went in to buy wine for the hostess. And Stanley, of course, bought about eight bottles of wine. And everybody in that store, customers and service people alike, they [behaved] like a Beatle had walked into their door,” quips Lithgow.

“Ralph and I felt like extras in Gandhi — absolutely no attention was paid! So you just had to swallow that bitter pill,” he says.

The three actors all play Catholic Cardinals in Conclave, a gripping new drama about the backstabbing and posturing that unfolds behind the scenes in Vatican City as the men of the cloth assemble to elect a new pope from among their ranks when the Supreme Pontiff dies. 

The movie, directed by Oscar winner Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris.

Lithgow’s character, the imperious Cardinal Tremblay, hopes to snag enough votes to claim to become the next pope, but his past deeds may threaten his ambitions. 

“He's a fascinating character. He is a character with secrets, and those are all great parts to play,” hints Lithgow.

The movie also stars Isabella Rosselini as Sister Agnes, a no-nonsense nun who runs the Casa Santa Marta, where the cardinals live during the conclave. 

“What I liked most was being in this ensemble of actors,” says Lithgow. “They were so superb and all of us had the greatest scenes to play. We took turns having our moment, and yet it all wove together so beautifully.”

“It’s great, great storytelling, so it’s wonderful to be a part of that,” he adds.

Conclave is in theaters nationwide on Friday. Oct. 25.