Ethan Hawke And Richard Linklater Dive Deep Into The Artistic World Of 'Blue Moon'

Lights, Camera, Transformation!

Ethan Hawke is back with a bang in his latest venture, 'Blue Moon', teaming up once again with the visionary director, Richard Linklater. Picture it like Los Angeles' own Lennon and McCartney moment: two creative powerhouses coming together to craft cinematic magic. Set against the backdrop of the opening night of the 1943 musical 'Oklahoma!', the film zeroes in on the fallout between the legendary composer duo Richard Rodgers and Lorenz "Larry" Hart. Hawke dives deep into the world of Hart, while Andrew Scott steps into the shoes of Rodgers, navigating the fresh partnership with Oscar Hammerstein II, portrayed by Simon Delaney.

Crafting the Character of Lorenz Hart

Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke took the stage at Deadline’s Contenders Film 2025 event in LA to discuss the artistic journey behind 'Blue Moon'. As Hawke brought Larry Hart to life, he embraced the contradictions of Hart's personality. "Larry Hart was not a big man, and it was part of his wonderful contradictions that I loved," Hawke said. "He kind of felt like if he didn’t talk, if he wasn’t smart, if he wasn’t funny, if he wasn’t insightful, no one would pay attention to him."

“It was kind of a deductive process, usually you’re building something. This was taking away everything,” Linklater shared, highlighting the unique approach to Hawke's character transformation.

Hawke and Linklater's long-standing collaboration made the artistic process seamless, with Linklater knowing all of Hawke's nuances, allowing the actor to 'disappear' into the role of Hart. The actor compared this creative process to building a cabinet without the traditional tools.

Coming Soon to Theaters Near You

Fans of Hawke will be thrilled to know that 'Blue Moon', also featuring Margaret Qualley as Elizabeth Weiland and Bobby Cannavale as Eddie, hit theaters on October 24, 2025. This film promises to be a stellar addition to the duo's repertoire, inviting audiences to explore the complexities of artistic genius and partnership.

In the vibrant spirit of Los Angeles, where creativity thrives and boundaries are pushed, 'Blue Moon' is set to make waves and stir conversations. Whether you're a fan of musicals, history, or simply admire Ethan Hawke's dedication to his craft, this movie is one you'll want to catch on the big screen.