Den of Geek: Were roughly in the same age group.
I kind of vaguely remember the Satanic Panic.
Do you remember that as a teen?
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Ethan Hawke: [laughs] Yeah.
That was kind of alive when I was about 13, 14, 15.
I remember that book that came out.
People were really kind of drawing weird stars in high school.
In truth, I find that stuff all pretty bogus.
Alejandro is the reason I did this movie.
I thought he was an extremely interesting person.
He was kind of shocked by the success ofThe Othersand how much people enjoy being scared.
And what does it say about where we are and how much we like that and covet that experience?
He was very interesting to talk to about that.
How did he present this material to you?
The truth is I went to meet him to tell him that I wasnt going to do the movie.
But hes a very kind, and loving, and compelling person.
Plus I really like working with people from other parts of the world.
I had a great experience working with Alfonso Cuaron years ago.
I worked with Jean-Francois Richet onAssault on Precinct 13, and Pawel Pawlikowski onWoman in the Fifth.
Ive learned a lot about movies by working with people who have a different vocabulary.
You have to kind of share your imagination with another person.
Ive gotten to work with filmmakers from all over the world.
She grew up on different movies than I did.
Shes about the same age as we are.
Im just trying to say… Its a very cool aspect of my job.
When you say that, what are your expectations going in?
What do you expect to get out of that experience, with that director?
Thats such a good question, man.
I guess you are just hoping that they are going to teach you something.
It was very inspiring.
I think its as alive today as it ever was.
Fear can run wild in us.
Youve played your share of cops before.
Is there any way you prepare to play someone in law enforcement?
Every movie is different.
This movie was strange because Alejandro wasnt really operating in the real world.
He didnt want us to really be in Minnesota or do Minnesota accents.
And he didnt want us to really dress the way a real cop would dress.
Its part of his voice as a filmmaker.
Is it more fun when you feel like you are collaborating?
I enjoy that more.
I wanted to just attempt to give over and do what he wanted.
I had a hunch that this might open up something.
Have I done too many movies for free or Ive got to keep prioritizing?
Its a funny dance.
Ive been working freelance for 30 years.
And I have to answer these kind of questions and take a stab at maintain a level of quality.
But Im also trying to look for things that might open up a new possibility.
You have been filmingThe Magnificent Seven.
Is that still in production?
Did you have scenes together with Denzel in that?
This is kind of a reunion for you guys.
Denzel and I have one scene inMagnificent Seventhats one of my favorites that I filmed.
And it was great to be on set with Antoine.
I didBrooklyns Finestwith him as well.
I love working with him.
Hes got a huge anti-authority streak.
He makes really heartfelt, powerful movies that really come from his gut.
To be honest with you, its also the biggest movie of my career.
Ive never worked on a movie that was like $100 million in my life.
And this was a huge movie Chris Pratt, and Vincent DOnofrio, and Peter Sarsgaard.
Its a great group of guys.
So my hope is it will be good.
Do you stand around on set and say to each other, All right.
Were doingThe Magnificent Seven.
We better not screw this up?
The pressure was so high.
We said that every day.
You dont want to make a shitty version ofMag Seven.
Thatd just feel terrible.
You are also doingValerianwith Luc Besson.
I play a little part and I just finished that.
I felt like I was on the set ofFifth Elementor something.
Its crazy and madcap.
Luc Besson is a card carrying master of our profession.
I just think hes wonderful.
Can you say anything about your role or what kind of character you play?
I can just tell you that I play one of the most exciting space pimps in the galaxy.
The 15thanniversary ofTraining Dayis coming up this year.
Any general recollections or thoughts looking back on that film and that experience?
It grew me into an adult actor.
It really changed my life.
I loved working with Denzel.
That will be interesting.
make a run at do something excellent inside the different genres.
My next dream is to make a movie as funny asTalladega Nights.
Thats what I really want.
Regressionis out in theaters now.
