Ethan Hawke Criticizes Casting Based on Social Media

Ethan Hawke criticized the trend of casting actors based on their Instagram followers rather than talent, calling it 'crazy' during his appearance at the Berlin International Film Festival. His daughter, Maya Hawke, echoed this sentiment, revealing on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast that some producers require a specific follower count for film funding, blurring the line between acting and celebrity. Both Hawkes pointed out the absurdity of this practice, with Ethan lamenting the shift away from substantive acting towards a focus on social media presence. Despite his critique, Ethan acknowledged that social media remains crucial in the current industry landscape, with Maya teaching him to navigate these platforms. They both emphasized that true acting talent goes beyond physical appearance or social media clout, citing Robert De Niro's diverse capabilities as an example. This ongoing trend highlights the tension between traditional acting values and modern marketing strategies in Hollywood.