ETHAN HAWKE Interview: Why He Was Asked NOT to Read the MOON KNIGHT Script

Actor Ethan Hawke recently shared why he was asked NOT to read the “MOON KNIGHT” script before signing on to the cast and how that ended up being a good thing for his character, Arthur Harrow.

ETHAN HAWKE Interview: Why He Was Asked NOT to Read the MOON KNIGHT Script

On March 30, the “MOON KNIGHT” 6-part series drops on Disney+. During the recent press junket for “MOON KNIGHT,” Ethan Hawke discussed how he signed onto the series without first reading the script.

Not reading the script before signing on to a project is unusual for most actors, but it is especially unusual for Hawke. However, it was at the behest of Director Mohamed Diab that he didn't first read the script.

While that sounds risky, Diab disclosed this was the first time Hawke had ever taken a project without reading a script in his whole career and how it was actually the best thing that could have happened for Hawke's character, Arthur Harrow.

ETHAN HAWKE on MOON KNIGHT

“MOON KNIGHT” follows British gift shop employee Steven Grant (Oscar Issac). Grant is an intelligent, soft-spoken man who is tormented by his all-too-realistic dreams and a sleep disorder–or so he thinks until he learns that he's actually Marc Spector and suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder. Spector, a former mercenary, is the avatar to Khonshu (the Egyptian moon god). Grant's world is upturned and now deluged with enemies, including cult leader Arthur Harrow.

Diab revealed that Hawkw signed on to “MOON KNIGHT” without reading the script. Diab and Oscar Isaac both asked Hawke not to read it because they wanted Hawke to be able to help develop this character along with the filmmakers.

Diab: When Oscar first approached him and then I talked to him about it, we pitched him the idea, but I told him, “Please don't read the script.” Not that the script is bad, but when you work with him, you have to get from him. Like, I think Harrow is his son, in a way, it's a ping pong between us all but definitely his son. So to trust us and sign without—he told me this was the first time in 35 years that he signed something without reading a script. And he did it. Thank you for your trust.

Hawke: In my whole experience—usually when there is a huge budget—there is a tremendous amount of fear. The people in charge are incredibly controlling, and creativity is reduced. In my entire experience with Marvel, it's the opposite of that.

You guys have translated your success into confidence and the confidence to—yes, we are going to cook in your kitchen, but if we stay in the kitchen, we can do what we want. And there was a lot of playfulness and a lot of willingness to fail and a lot of willingness to have bad ideas. Because you can't find a great idea if we don't say some dumb ones and make mistakes. I sensed it from Oscar from the get-go…

Isaac: …A lot of dumb ideas.

Hawke: A lot of dumb ideas. No, there was a huge passion to contribute. And when an actor has a strong hit on a character, and they have something they want to contribute—and you follow it—good things happen. Oscar had a hit on this guy, on DID, on how it could be useful, and that's what collaboration is. You guys were willing to have that happen. And that's what you guys told me would happen, but sometimes that's not how [it goes], and that's why you don't sign on without reading the script. But I'm really glad I didn't because I think it's better because of the way it evolved.

Isaac: Moral of the story: never read the script.

“MOON KNIGHT” is streaming exclusively on Disney+ March 30, with new episodes every Wednesday.

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Jana

Jana Seitzer is a writer, traveler, podcaster, and geek. Although well-versed in many fictional universes, Star Wars & Marvel have always been her favorites.

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ETHAN HAWKE Interview: Why He Was Asked NOT to Read the MOON KNIGHT Script