After receiving his fifth Oscar nomination this morning for Best Actor in the Sony Pictures Classics drama Blue Moon, Ethan Hawke shared insights about his upcoming projects, including the second season of his FX series The Lowdown. Speaking from New York a day before heading to Sundance, Hawke revealed plans for the show and reflected on his latest film and an important festival tribute.
Second Season of ‘The Lowdown’ to Begin Production Soon
Hawke described his excitement for returning to the Western noir crime dramedy The Lowdown, created by Sterlin Harjo, in which he stars as Lee Raybon, a man burdened by secret knowledge. Production on the show’s second season is set to commence immediately after the Oscars in March. Reflecting on his enthusiasm for the project, he remarked,
“I’m going to have to leave the parties early. I can’t wait,”
Ethan Hawke said.
“I love working with Sterlin, I love that show, and I can’t wait to go back to that well.”
Hawke and Harjo aim for each new season of The Lowdown to stand alone with the feel of its own crime novel, giving the series a unique, self-contained structure.
New Film ‘The Weight’ and Connection to ‘The Good Lord Bird’ Crew
Turning to his new film, The Weight, Hawke spoke about working with director Padraic McKinley, whom he met on the set of The Good Lord Bird. The film represents a nostalgic return to character-driven action movies, a genre Hawke feels is rarely made today. He said,
“The character-driven action movie. It just was a character I really wanted to play, in a world I really liked.”
Tribute to Robert Redford at Sundance Festival
Hawke plans to honor the late Sundance founder Robert Redford with a speech at the festival, paying homage to Redford’s profound influence on the film industry and environmental advocacy. Hawke described Redford as a guiding figure:
“He was a person who was given a lot, and he gave back a lot, and it’s a model of leadership. A person who carried themselves with dignity and concern for others and contributed in a very high level, consistently, while pushing the industry itself forward.”
Ethan Hawke
He noted that Redford’s achievements extend beyond his work as an actor and filmmaker to founding a landmark festival that has amplified diverse voices in cinema. Hawke added,
“He’s also the first person I ever heard talk about the environment, and he was so vocal about spreading out voices and getting to hear from everyone. He was such a great leader in that way — and he didn’t have to do that.”
Although earlier reports suggested Hawke and filmmaker Richard Linklater would honor Redford together, Hawke clarified their appearances will be separate due to scheduling differences. He explained,
“We thought we were, but I think I’m speaking at one Redford tribute and he’s speaking at a different Redford tribute, because I’m coming out Friday night and he doesn’t get out there till Monday or Tuesday. I think he’s doing a talk about the Sundance Labs or something, and I’m doing a talk about [Redford], the man.”
Reflecting on ‘Blue Moon’ and Enduring Creative Partnerships
Hawke’s Oscar nomination acknowledges his portrayal of Lorenz Hart, the celebrated lyricist from the songwriting duo Rodgers & Hart, sharing the screen with actors including Andrew Scott, Margaret Qualley, and Bobby Cannavale. He described the film as the product of a three-decade friendship, stating,
“It was never a job. I feel like I’ve somehow cracked some unbreakable code by getting to make work that is really personally meaningful with some of my best friends in the world, and have people notice it and see it and enjoy it. It seems almost like a magic trick.”
Hawke reflected on his long-standing creative relationship with Richard Linklater, which spans iconic works such as the Before trilogy and Boyhood. About their connection, he shared,
“It’s like the mystery of any relationship. I don’t know. If you think too much about it, it’d probably go away.”
He added,
“It’s not lost on me that one of my best friends that I made 30 years ago happens to be one of the defining cinematic voices of our generation. It’s not lost on me, my good fortune in choosing friends. I like to think I carry my weight, but he’s really a different thinker and has a truly unique voice. He shoots incredibly straight, and being his friend is great, and getting to work together is even better.”
Looking Ahead: Ambitions and Future Collaborations
Hawke described how meaningful his Oscar nomination is, especially since stepping into the Best Actor category for the first time. Looking ahead, he expressed numerous ambitions and a restless creative spirit. He revealed,
“I’ve got so many pipe dreams, man. You know, my motto to myself is, ‘One lifetime is not enough.’ There’s so many brilliant young people I want to work with, and so many heroes I haven’t worked with. I want to work with Rick again, and I love working with Sterlin. I want to do Shakespeare in the Park and I want to do a bald-faced comedy. I’ve got a million things I want to do.”
Oscar Competition and Additional Academy Nominations
Hawke’s previous Oscar nominations include performances in Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day (2002) and three films directed by Richard Linklater: Before Sunset (2005), Before Midnight (2014), and Boyhood (2015). For the upcoming Academy Awards, he will face strong contenders like Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent. The Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 15.
In addition to Hawke’s nomination for Best Actor, Blue Moon is also up for Best Original Screenplay, with Robert Kaplow credited for the script.
Impact and What’s Next for Ethan Hawke and His Projects
Ethan Hawke’s fifth Oscar nomination marks a significant milestone in a career marked by thoughtful performances and rich collaborations. His continued partnership with visionaries like Richard Linklater and Sterlin Harjo shows a dedication to meaningful storytelling and genre exploration. The restart of The Lowdown production following the Oscars indicates an ongoing commitment to innovative television, while his tribute to Robert Redford underscores his connection to the filmmaking community and its heritage. Fans and industry observers can anticipate more diverse and passionate work from Hawke in the near future as he pursues a wide range of creative endeavors.
