Ethan Hawke’s journey with ‘Blue Moon’: A tale of patience and passion
A script 12 years in the making
Ethan Hawke recently opened up about his long-awaited collaboration with director Richard Linklater on the biopic Blue Moon. The journey began over a decade ago when Hawke first read the script about lyricist Lorenz Hart. “I love it, let’s do it. We gotta make this movie,” Hawke recalled telling Linklater during a masterclass at the Venice Film Festival. However, there was a unique obstacle: the director thought Hawke was “still too attractive” for the role.
The waiting game
Linklater’s response was both surprising and humorous. “He’s like, ‘Cool, we’re going to make it, but we need to wait a while.’ Why do we need to wait a while? He said, ‘You’re still too attractive. We gotta wait til you’re a little less attractive.’ I was like, ‘What are you talking about?'” Hawke shared. The director’s vision required Hawke to age into the role, leading them to revisit the script every few years.
The right time finally arrives
The turning point came when Linklater saw Hawke on a talk show. “He saw me on an interview, I was on the Jimmy Fallon show or something last year, and he called me up and he said, ‘Hey, I saw you on Jimmy Fallon!’ I said, ‘Oh great, how’d it go?’ He said, ‘Oh, it was fine. Let’s make Blue Moon.’ Like, go to hell,” Hawke recounted with a laugh.
An audience member humorously interjected, “You are more attractive now!” to which Hawke replied, “Thank you, that’s what I’m saying!”
The challenge of a lifetime
Despite the playful banter about his looks, Hawke emphasized the intensity of the project. “Blue Moon,” which recently wrapped production, “might be the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life,” he admitted. The film, set on the opening night of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! in 1943, captures a pivotal moment in Hart’s life as he grapples with alcoholism and depression.
A real-time narrative
Hawke revealed that the film “all takes place in real time,” adding to the complexity and challenge of the project. The narrative unfolds during the premiere of Oklahoma!, marking the first collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein. Hart, Rodgers’ former songwriting partner, attends the premiere amidst his personal struggles, which ultimately led to his death eight months later.
Admiration for passion projects
During the masterclass, Hawke also expressed his admiration for filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, who invest their own money into passion projects. “I love that Coppola sold his winery to make that movie, I think that’s amazing,” Hawke said. “I love it when people keep the great dream alive of making something magnificent.”
The spirit of filmmaking
Hawke continued, “It’s very hard because the whole industry that runs movie-making is designed to make money. Most of our favorite movies, that’s not what was motivating the project, so you have to keep that spirit alive … I would never want to not be a person who wouldn’t sell their house to make a movie. I love that, I think it’s cool. I admire the hell out of it.”
A personal reflection
As a cinema enthusiast, it’s inspiring to see the dedication and passion that go into creating films like Blue Moon. The patience and perseverance shown by both Hawke and Linklater highlight the often unseen struggles behind the scenes. This project serves as a reminder of the artistry and commitment required to bring compelling stories to life.
For those eager to dive deeper into the world of Blue Moon, you can watch the trailer here.
Related links
This article aims to provide a comprehensive look at the journey behind Blue Moon, offering insights and reflections for cinema lovers. The dedication of artists like Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater continues to inspire and remind us of the magic of filmmaking.