- A Terrifying Test: Ethan Hawke called his screen test for “Training Day” with Denzel Washington “scary,” revealing Washington improvised all his lines, forcing Hawke to keep up.
- The Swift Connection: His role in Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” music video came about after his daughter, Maya Hawke, gave the pop superstar his number.
- A Fateful Partnership: Hawke recounted how he and director Richard Linklater began their nine-film collaboration after a chance meeting and talking until four in the morning.
- Praise for Taylor: He lauded Taylor Swift as an “incredible” director and compared the cultural impact of her Eras Tour to seeing the Beatles at their peak.
Hawke Honored in Miami
At a recent ceremony at the Miami Film Festival, veteran actor Ethan Hawke accepted the Variety Virtuoso Award, taking the opportunity to reflect on a career marked by iconic collaborations and unforgettable moments. In a candid conversation, he shared behind-the-scenes stories about working with industry titans like Denzel Washington, Richard Linklater, and pop phenomenon Taylor Swift.
The “Scary” Audition That Earned an Oscar Nod
One of the most revealing moments came when Hawke discussed his audition for the 2001 crime thriller “Training Day.” He described the screen test with Denzel Washington as an intimidating experience. “I came into the screen test and he just didn’t say one scripted line in the entire screen test,” Hawke recalled. “He was just improvising with me and it was really difficult to try to keep up with him.”
Hawke credited his extensive experience with director Richard Linklater’s improvisational style for helping him navigate the high-stakes moment. By pretending Linklater was in the room, he managed to hold his own against Washington, ultimately landing the role that earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
A ‘Fortnight’ with Taylor Swift
More recently, Hawke found himself in the Taylor Swift universe, an opportunity he owes entirely to his daughter, actor Maya Hawke. “I got a text from my daughter saying ‘Hey dad, Taylor Swift wants your number,’” he explained. A “Dead Poets Society” fan, Swift tapped Hawke for her self-directed music video for “Fortnight,” where he reunited with his “Dead Poets” co-star Josh Charles.
Hawke had nothing but praise for the global superstar. “That woman is incredible,” he said, marveling at her directorial skills and cultural influence. He compared attending her Eras Tour to witnessing the Beatles, stating, “Someday people are going to write books about this moment.”
A Linklater Legacy
The foundation of Hawke’s career is arguably his enduring partnership with director Richard Linklater. After seeing Linklater’s debut film “Slacker,” Hawke felt an “injustice in the universe” that he wasn’t in his movies. The two finally met after one of Hawke’s plays, sparking an instant connection that led to nine films, including the beloved “Before Sunrise” trilogy and the ambitious, 18-year project “Boyhood.” He shared an anecdote about improvising a key scene in “Before Sunrise” to convince co-star Julie Delpy’s character to get off the train, a testament to the creative experimentation that defined their work.
Despite a career filled with such high points, Hawke remains focused on the future. “I’m so future-centric,” he admitted. “I’m like, ‘What’s next? Can I do it again? Please? Put me in one more game coach.'”
Image Referance: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/ethan-hawke-taylor-swift-richard-linklater-denzel-washington-1236570541/