Ethan Hawke Says Casting Actors Based on Instagram Followers Is ‘Crazy’: Some Young People Think ‘Being an Actor Is Protein Shakes and Going to the Gym’

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Ethan Hawke shares his thoughts on Maya’s remarks concerning some filmmakers who prefer casting actors with a significant number of Instagram followers.

During a recent chat on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Maya Hawke shared that some intelligent film directors have been instructed by producers to cast actors with a particular number of Instagram followers for projects to progress. She expressed her indifference towards Instagram, calling it frustrating. Essentially, she noted that having a significant number of Instagram followers can help secure funding for movies; however, this presents a challenging balance to maintain.

At the Berlin Film Festival, when the media questioned him about his daughter’s statements, Ethan Hawke replied that he too has experienced something similar and found it to be quite “unbelievable” or “extraordinary.

He expressed genuine empathy for these individuals, admitting it can be tough. In the midst of arranging a film, he might hear someone suggest, ‘Perhaps Suzie would be suitable.’ To which he responds, ‘Who’s Suzie?’ They reply, ‘She has 10 million followers.’ He replies, ‘That’s great, but has she ever acted before?’ The response is typically, ‘No, but…’ At this point, he often finds himself astonished, thinking, ‘So her massive following will help me produce the film? That’s unbelievable!’

Hawke questioned, “Does this ‘public stage’ determine my career, and will gaining more followers potentially lead to better opportunities?

The award-winning actor, set to debut “Blue Moon,” a project he worked on with Richard Linklater during the festival, commented further, stating that he often encounters numerous aspiring actors who believe acting involves only consuming protein shakes and working out at the gym.

Hawke expressed that it would be wonderful if others had the opportunity to meet Phil Hoffman, similar to his experience at age 18, as it adds depth and joy to life. Essentially, working out is commendable, but it doesn’t define greatness like Robert De Niro. While he may tone his physique if needed for a role, De Niro’s true greatness lies far beyond that.

Hawke shared that Maya, known for her work on “Stranger Things” and Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City,” has shown him valuable insights about the impact of social media within the entertainment sector.

He chuckled as he shared, ‘She told me I needed an Instagram account and criticized my recent post, saying it was poor quality and should be deleted.’ Yet, being an artistic child myself, such opinions are to be expected. She’s always dabbling in various creative pursuits – painting, singing, composing music, acting. I’m not concerned about her talents; she’ll navigate that on her own. However, I’ve found myself learning quite a bit from her lately.

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2025-02-19 18:16