Ethan Hawke Talks Making ‘The Weight’ Potential ‘Black Phone’ Trilogy

Key Points:

• Ethan Hawke emphasizes the value of real-world immersion in filmmaking, praising the authentic location shooting in his new film The Weight, which was shot in the Bavarian Forest to represent 1930s Oregon wilderness, contrasting it with the prevalent use of green screens and digital effects in modern cinema.
• In The Weight, Hawke portrays Sam Murphy, a World War I veteran and widowed father caught in the Great Depression, who faces prison and a chance to regain early release by helping a warden steal gold; Hawke sees Murphy as an honorable man embodying the ethics of the "Greatest Generation," reflecting values of integrity and community.
• Hawke expresses admiration for co-star Russell Crowe, noting their near collaboration two decades earlier on Master and Commander, and credits his wife Ryan Hawke, a producer on The Weight, for helping bring the project to fruition through their production company Under the Influence.
• Discussing his recent roles, Hawke mentions his acclaimed villainous character in the Black Phone films and the uncertain future of his Marvel series Moon Knight due to the industry’s streaming market correction, while appreciating his current work on FX’s crime dramedy The Lowdown as a fulfilling creative opportunity.
• Hawke critiques the overreliance on CGI and green screens in contemporary filmmaking, advocating for the irreplaceable authenticity that comes from actors performing in real environments, which he believes enhances storytelling and audience connection.