Ethan Hawke recalls bad-mouthing ‘Hamlet’ director while unknowingly mic’d up
“I was very mad at Michael [Almereyda] that day and I was just spitting venom about this guy,” Hawke recalled
Ethan Hawke has recalled an awkward moment on the set of Hamlet when he criticised director Michael Almereyda, only to realise that his microphone was still live and the filmmaker had heard everything.
Hawke shared the story on September 28 while moderating a book talk for his former Hamlet co-star Kyle MacLachlan, whose new memoir Fictional Selves was the focus of their conversation. The actors reflected on making the 2000 Shakespeare adaptation, which starred Hawke as Hamlet and MacLachlan as Claudius.
Hawke said the incident happened while they were filming a scene in a car and had to wait for a long period. He admitted that he was particularly angry with Almereyda that day, despite later working with the director several times and considering him a friend.
“I was very mad at Michael [Almereyda] that day and I was just spitting venom about this guy,” Hawke recalled, explaining that he was complaining about the director without realising the microphone was still picking up his comments.
Hawke eventually noticed MacLachlan making a discreet gesture towards Almereyda. When he looked outside, he saw the director wearing headphones and realised what had happened. MacLachlan then explained that the actors had been mic’d up the entire time, meaning Almereyda had heard Hawke’s complaints.
Despite the uncomfortable situation, Hawke said Almereyda “took it in stride”. The incident did not damage their relationship, with Hawke, MacLachlan and Almereyda later reuniting for the 2020 film Tesla.
Looking back on Hamlet, Hawke also described the production fondly, calling it an “incredibly low-budget movie” made by a group of people who were passionate about their work. The film also featured Julia Stiles, Bill Murray, Diane Venora, Liev Schreiber, Sam Shepard and Steve Zahn.
MacLachlan’s memoir Fictional Selves is now available, with the actor reflecting on his career and experiences working on projects including Hamlet.
