Oscar-nominated actor and director Ethan Hawke shared new set photos from the much-anticipated Flannery O’Connor biopic Wildcat. The feature stars his daughter with Uma Thurman, Maya Hawke, and an ensemble of cast, including Oscar-nominee Laura Linney, Philip Ettinger, Rafael Casal, Steve Zahn, Cooper Hoffman, Willa Fitzgerald, Alessandro Nivola and Vincent D’Onofrio.
Maya Hawke will portray the Georgia writer as she struggles to publish her first novel. Known for her dark humor, Flannery received posthumous acclaim for works such as: A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Everything That Rises Must Converge, and Wise Blood. Speaking with Variety, Ethan said: “Maya has been working hard for years to put this project together, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to introduce a new generation of filmgoers to the genius of Flannery O’Connor.”
Via his Instagram account, the 52-year-old posted photos from the set, praising the cast and crew:
Excited to tell Flannery’s story to new generations, Hawke says: “Her work explores themes important to all artists — the intersection of creativity and faith, the blurred relationship between imagination and reality.” Ethan co-wrote Wildcat with Shelby Gaines and is set to produce the film alongside Joe Goodman (Good Country Pictures), Cory Pyke (Renovo Media Group), Kevin Downes, Jon Erwin, and Daryl Lefever (Kingdom Story Company).
Renovo Media Group’s David Kingland explained: “The opportunity to work with the Hawkes to tell this story of struggle, imagination, and faith is exactly the kind of endeavor that Renovo was created to do. This project has brought together a unique combination of cast and crew to share Flannery O’Connor’s life and writings to fans and new audiences alike.”
Wildcat began principal photography on Jan. 10 in Louisville, Ky. Ethan Hawke had previously starred opposite his daughter on the limited series The Good Lord Bird, but this is the first time the actor is directing her.