Ethan Hawke recently shared his candid thoughts on some of Hollywood’s most iconic franchises, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter, during a master class at the Venice Film Festival. The seasoned actor-director contrasted these blockbuster films with the more intimate, human-centered works of his frequent collaborator, Richard Linklater.

Hawke humorously remarked on the feelings of longing he experiences after watching fantasy epics like Harry Potter and Star Wars. “I’ve seen these films countless times, and I adore them, but once they’re over, there’s always a slight disappointment that I’m not actually a wizard or a Jedi,” he jested. “I often find myself wishing I could wield a lightsaber or cast spells. In contrast, after watching a Richard Linklater film, I feel enriched by real human connections and experiences. It’s as if I’ve met someone new or deepened my understanding of life—that’s the true magic.”

He elaborated on this sentiment by referencing an old Zen quote: “You don’t have to walk on water; you get to walk on Earth.” Hawke explained that Linklater’s films serve as poignant reminders of the everyday miracles we often overlook. “Life itself is extraordinary when you appreciate the simple fact that we are here, breathing, sharing this planet with whales, giraffes, and so much more. Linklater’s work doesn’t need to exaggerate to be incredible.”

Over the years, Hawke and Linklater have collaborated on numerous projects—”nine or ten films together, depending on how you count,” Hawke noted to the audience. Their partnership includes renowned works like the Before trilogy and Boyhood, which Hawke credits for maturing his perspective on filmmaking. “Making Before Sunrise marked the beginning of my adult relationship with movies and solidified my enduring friendship with Rick.”

Their latest endeavor, Blue Moon, delves into the life of Lorenz Hart, the lyricist who partnered with Richard Rodgers before Rodgers’ successful collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein II. Set in 1943 during the premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma!, the film promises to be another nuanced exploration of human emotion and creativity.

Interestingly, Linklater presented Hawke with the script for Blue Moon 12 years ago but suggested they delay filming until Hawke’s appearance had changed. “‘You’re still too attractive,’ Rick told me,” Hawke recalled with a chuckle. “‘We need to wait until you’re a bit less attractive.'”

Last year, after seeing Hawke on a talk show, Linklater decided it was finally time to proceed with Blue Moon. “‘I saw you on Jimmy Fallon… let’s make Blue Moon; we’re ready,'” Linklater said, prompting a mock-offended response from Hawke: “I thought, ‘go to hell.'”

Although Blue Moon was filmed this past summer, it has yet to receive an official release date.

During the wide-ranging discussion at Venice, Hawke also delved into his passion for the craft of filmmaking. He described his fascination with what he termed the “geometry” and “math” of cinema. “I can’t help it; I feel like an eternal student of this art form,” he admitted. “Each genre—whether it’s a small indie film, a horror flick, a western, or a romantic comedy—has its own unique structure and set of rules that shape how stories are told.”

Hawke explained that understanding this cinematic geometry has been instrumental in refining his performances across different genres. “One way I could diversify my work was by embracing these genre-specific nuances,” he said. “For instance, Anthony Hopkins’ acting in dramas differs vastly from his roles in horror films. The more you grasp this underlying math, the more effective you become as a storyteller.”

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Watch Ethan Hawke’s full conversation in the video above to gain further insights into his views on filmmaking and his collaborations with Richard Linklater.