Ethan Hawke directs a documentary series about the love lives and decades-long relationships of Hollywood stars Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman. “The Last Movie Stars” will premiere exclusively on CNN+, CNN’s upcoming streaming service.
“The Last Movie Stars”A documentary series that examines the relationship and love between Newman and his wife, who is well-known for classics such as “Cool Hand Luke,” “Hud” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,”Woodward, who is still in existence at 91, is an Oscar winner for films like “The Three Faces of Eve.”The love story between the couple spanned 50 years and was largely kept secret until this film.
Early in the pandemic, one of Woodward and Newman’s daughters approached Hawke about completing a project commissioned by Newman from friend and screenwriter Stewart Stern. Stern interviewed figures like Elia Kazan, Sidney Lumet, Karl Malden, Sidney Pollack, Gore Vidal and Jacqueline Witte for a planned memoir, and he also sat down with both Woodward and Newman, discussing Newman’s first marriage to Witte from 1949 to 1958, his romance and life with Woodward, his personal demons and the loss of his son, Scott.
The film will also explore Woodward’s philanthropic endeavors, raising millions for various causes and being active in the civil rights and environmental movements, as well as how they managed to balance their careers with their own fulfilling marriage.
Hawke also conducted archival interviews of Woodward and Newman. He also enlisted actors Karen Allen (George Clooney), Oscar Isaac, LaTanya Richson Jackson, Zoe Kazan. Laura Linney, Sam Rockwell Other voices to record segments of the original transcript interviews “The Last Movie Stars.” Hawke also interviewed several of Newman’s daughters for insights into their parents and has contemporary interviews with Sally Field, Melanie Griffith and Martin Scorsese discussing what made Woodward and Newman’s careers unique.
“Exploring Woodward and Newman through their 50-year love affair has proven more rewarding than I could have imagined. Their work, philanthropy, and lives serve as a kind of North Star, illuminating what a substantive, meaningful life can look like,”Hawke made the statement in a statement.
“Ethan’s brilliant vision illuminates what fascinates us about Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman in a film worthy of their talents and passions,”Amy Entelis, CNN Worldwide’s executive vice president for talent development and content, stated in a statement. “We look forward to sharing this unique, multi-chapter story with CNN+ subscribers.”
“The Last Movie Stars”CNN+ will make the film available after the service launches later in this year. Later, the film will be available on HBO Max’s streaming service.
Ethan Hawke was previously a director “Seymour: An Introduction,”Together with Nook House Productions, they completed the film. Martin Scorsese serves as an executive producer. Executive producers of the film include Scorsese as well as Courtney Sexton, Entelis and Entelis. Mario Andretti serves as co-producer. Produced by Lisa Long Adler and Emily Wachtel of Nook House Productions. Ryan Hawke from Under the Influence Productions, Adam Gibbs, and Ryan Hawke are involved in the film’s production. Hamilton Leithauser is creating a score for the film.
The deal “The Last Movie Stars” was negotiated by Stacey Wolf, senior vice president of business affairs, and Kelly MacLanahan, assistant general counsel, both for CNN Worldwide, on behalf of CNN Films and CNN+. Nook House Productions negotiations were handled by Marc Simon of Fox Rothschild LLP. Cinetic Media assisted the filmmakers in this transaction. CNN Films has streaming and broadcast rights to the film.
