Ethan Hawke Reveals Past Rivalry With 'Raymond and Ray' Co-star Ewan McGregor

By Angel Goodman

2022 Toronto International Film Festival - "Raymond & Ray" Premiere — (Photo : Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images) TORONTO, ONTARIO - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke attend the "Raymond & Ray" Premiere during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario.

Ethan Hawke reveals losing THIS major movie role he had worked hard for to "Raymond and Ray" co-star Ewan McGregor from way back.

The 51 year old star made his acting debut during the 1980s and rose to fame through his breakthrough appearance in the 1989 film "Dead Poets Society" as Todd Anderson. Hawke also starred in "Moon Knight", a television series based on Marvel Comics.

In a recent interview with Screenrant to promote his upcoming comedy-drama film, "Raymond and Ray", Hawke recalls an experience with his co-star, veteran actor Ethan McGregor, and a role that he badly wanted. During that time, Hawke had auditioned for the lead role in the romantic musical, "Moulin Rouge!", to which he had lost to McGregor.

"Ewan doesn't like this because he gets embarrassed, but I gave one of the greatest screen tests of my life for Moulin Rouge. I did not get the part. I crushed this audition." Ethan recalled. "And it just goes to show you how much I like Ewan's work. I still went to see the movie on opening day and loved it. So, I got over it."

Despite expressing that he got over it, Hawke jokingly recalls the audition he "crushed" for "Moulin Rouge!".

"But I will say, someday that audition will be seen and people are gonna rethink." Hawke concluded with a laugh.

Hawke's Success After His 'Loss'

Despite losing out on a role he badly wanted, Hawke's acting career rose to success in the same year that "Moulin Rouge!" was released. The actor received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "Training Day". in 2001.

Ethan Hawke, later on, starred in and co-wrote the film, "Before Sunset", where he received his first Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The 51-year-old star has received numerous other accolades for writing and acting throughout his career.

Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor in Good Terms

After getting over his initial rivalry with McGregor, Hawke reunites with the "Star Wars" actor in the upcoming film "Raymond and Ray", written and directed by Rodrigo García. The two actors will portray estranged half-brothers.

"Raymond and Ray" first premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, and is set to stream on Apple TV+ on October 21st. The cast also includes Maribel Verdú, Sophie Okonedo, Maxim Swinton, Chris Silcox, and Chris Grabher.