Ethan Hawke Explains Why His Training Day Screen Test With Denzel Washington Was ‘Really Difficult’ (And I Totally Get It)

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Let me tell you, some auditions are just…intense. But nothing could have prepared me for walking into a room with Denzel Washington for Training Day. Ethan Hawke described it as realizing the script was more of a starting point than anything concrete! Apparently, that experience really set the stage for their incredible on-screen chemistry – it’s one of the best cop duos of the 2000s, and it earned Hawke his very first Oscar nomination. It was a true trial by fire for him.

Ethan Hawke discussed his career highlights while receiving the Variety Virtuoso Award at the Miami Film Festival. He talked about his long-time partnership with director Richard Linklater – spanning nine films – and his recent collaboration with Taylor Swift on the song “Fortnight.” He also revealed a busy 2025 schedule filled with upcoming projects, including the films Blue Moon, The Black Phone 2, and The Lowdown, as well as a documentary he’s narrating, available on Apple TV.

During the screen test, the actor didn’t say a single line from the script. He improvised the whole time, and it was challenging to react and keep the scene flowing.

Performing opposite Washington is a real challenge, even for experienced actors. The lead from Gattaca explained he overcame his nerves by using a technique taught to him by director Richard Linklater – listening intently before driving the scene forward. Linklater has been a major creative influence for the actor since Before Sunrise. He went on to say:

I was trying to calm my nerves by imagining Rick was there with me. It helped me feel less intimidated, and I started thinking of things to say as if I were talking to him directly.

If you’ve seen Training Day, this makes sense. Ethan Hawke’s character, Jake Hoyt, doesn’t come across as weak, but as someone genuinely responding to the intense situation – exactly what you’d hope for in an audition under pressure. Denzel Washington’s Alonzo Harris thrives on being unpredictable, so Hawke responded by staying focused and reacting truthfully in the moment—a perfect example of the “Yes, And” principle from improvisational comedy. That’s where the strong connection between the two characters really began.

The recent get-together in Miami wasn’t just about reminiscing. Ethan Hawke is having a remarkably successful year. He’s receiving critical acclaim for his role in Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, reprised his popular character in the hit horror sequel The Black Phone 2, appeared in the FX series The Lowdown, directed a documentary about Merle Haggard, and provided narration for Apple TV’s Vietnam: The War That Changed America.

He acknowledged the praise from the audience, but quickly expressed his eagerness to move on to new challenges. That forward-thinking attitude is what makes him such an interesting actor, especially after working in the industry for almost forty years.

Ethan Hawke described his audition for Training Day as incredibly challenging, but it was exactly the kind of intense preparation the film needed. The chemistry between Hawke and Denzel Washington was clear even then, and that powerful tension translated perfectly to the screen, creating a modern movie classic. You can now stream the acclaimed crime drama with a Netflix subscription.

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2025-11-12 21:42