Ethan Hawke Calls “Blue Moon” Role His Most Difficult and Rewarding Challenge

Ethan Hawke has described his latest film role as both frustrating and deeply rewarding. The actor stars as songwriter Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s new movie, Blue Moon. This marks their ninth collaboration together.

Hawke revealed that Linklater pushed him to completely disappear into the character. The director’s unique feedback method became a central part of the challenging process.

Linklater’s Directing Method Forced Hawke to Evolve

According to a report from Variety, the filming experience was intensely difficult. After certain takes, Linklater would simply tell Hawke, “I saw you.” This was a critique. The director wanted any trace of the actor’s own persona removed from the performance.

Hawke compared the process to being asked to build a cabinet with only a few specific tools. He found the constraint both frustrating and ultimately rewarding. The role forced him to operate outside his typical comfort zone.

Hawke Drew From Personal History to Portray Hart

The actor connected the role to his own early days in New York theater. He explained that he received his education from older, gay men in the industry. These mentors shared similarities with the brilliant but troubled Hart.

Hawke recognized the “extreme depth of feeling” these men possessed. He also understood the heartbreak of living in a society where being gay was a significant issue. This personal connection made the role feel close to his heart, despite its challenges.

He described people like Hart as treating theater knowledge with the reverence of monks studying the bible. This insight helped him build a poignant and authentic portrayal of the legendary songwriter.

Ethan Hawke’s work on Blue Moon showcases his dedication to transformative roles. The project stands as a testament to his long creative partnership with Richard Linklater. This challenging role may well be one of his most memorable performances.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Ethan Hawke playing in “Blue Moon”?

He portrays the iconic American songwriter Lorenz Hart. Hart was known for his work on numerous classic tunes and his complicated personal life.

How many times has Hawke worked with director Richard Linklater?

This is their ninth film collaboration. Their famous previous projects include the “Before” trilogy and “Boyhood.”

What made this role particularly difficult for Hawke?

Director Richard Linklater constantly pushed him to erase his own personality from the performance. The goal was for Hawke to fully disappear into the character of Hart.

How did Hawke prepare for the role?

He drew on his personal experiences with mentors from his early theater career in New York. He recognized their intelligence and depth in the character of Lorenz Hart.

When will “Blue Moon” be released?

An official release date has not yet been announced. The film is currently in post-production following recent filming.