Movies

Ethan Hawke ‘couldn’t care less’ about directing daughter Maya in graphic sex scenes

By
Jack Hobbs
Published Sep. 7, 2023, 2:41 p.m. ET
Maya Hawke’s Dad Felt “So Comfortable” Directing Her Sex Scenes
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Stranger things have happened.

Ethan Hawke insists he had no qualms about directing daughter Maya’s graphic sex scenes in the upcoming film, “Wildcat.”

“We were so comfortable with it. I couldn’t care less,” the “Dead Poets Society” actor assured Variety.

Not so much co-stars Rafael Casal, 38, and Cooper Hoffman, 20, however.

“I think it was weird for them, said Hawke, 52, to Variety.

“We made sure to have an intimacy coordinator on set for them,” Maya, 25, told a reporter. “So that they felt safe and comfortable and not like they were being spied on …”

“… by some creepy dad,” interjected Hawke.

The biopic, starring the “Stranger Things” actress, tells the story of the late Southern author Flannery O’Connor as she attempts to publish her first book.

Ethan and Maya Hawke
Acclaimed actor Ethan Hawke revealed Tuesday that he and his daughter Maya reportedly did not have any issues while filming the latter’s graphic sex scene in his upcoming film “Wildcat.” Heather Hazzan for Variety
Despite the glaring red flag, both Hawkes were determined to showcase that just because a person is interesting, does necessarily mean they are "good."
The Hawkes were determined to tell O’Connor’s life story, even if in recent years the author has been criticized for language and viewpoints. Heather Hazzan for Variety

Because relatively little is known about the private life of the reclusive novelist, aside from the fact that she was born in Georgia in 1925 and died at the age of 39 due to lupus, the film sets out to tell the “Wise Blood” author’s story through her written work.

“She’s not a clear-cut hero by any stretch of the imagination,” said Maya, most likely referring to the recent re-examination of racial language and other themes in O’Connor’s writing, after a lengthy critique was published in the New Yorker in 2020.

“But in all of [her] faults,” Maya said O’Connor is worth getting to know as “a way of understanding the history of this country.”

"If someone wants to criticize us for working together, that’s totally fair," stated Hawke. "You have to let people have their opinion. You just have to try to do a good job when you’re onstage.”
“If someone wants to criticize us for working together, that’s totally fair,” stated Hawke. “You have to let people have their opinion. You just have to try to do a good job when you’re onstage.” Heather Hazzan for Variety
Despite her enthusiasm for the film. Maya told Variety that she had "moments of insecurity” about starring in a movie directed by her parent.
Despite her enthusiasm for the film. Maya told Variety that she had “moments of insecurity” about starring in a movie directed by her parent. Heather Hazzan for Variety
"The internet doesn’t have a lot of nuances,” said Maya referring to the backlash aimed a nepotism "nepo" babies. “My dad has been a massive teacher for me, and we want to work together. We like being with each other.”
“The internet doesn’t have a lot of nuances,” said Maya referring to the backlash aimed at “nepo” babies. “My dad has been a massive teacher for me, and we want to work together. We like being with each other.” Heather Hazzan for Variety

Despite her enthusiasm for the film. Maya told Variety that she had “moments of insecurity” about starring in a movie directed by her parent.

“The internet doesn’t have a lot of nuances,” said Maya referring to the backlash aimed at children of Hollywood stars, or “nepo babies.”

“My dad has been a massive teacher for me, and we want to work together. We like being with each other,” she said.

Hawke, who shares Maya and a 21-year-old son named Levon with Golden Globe winner Uma Thurman — the duo split in 2005 — echoed his daughter’s sentiment.

“If someone wants to criticize us for working together, that’s totally fair,” stated Hawke. “You have to let people have their opinion. You just have to try to do a good job when you’re onstage.”

“Wildcat” is streaming on Amazon Prime and stars Maya Hawke, Liam Neeson, Rafael Casal and Cooper Hoffman.