The Lowdown's Ethan Hawke Made His Acting Debut in This Box Office Bomb
Ethan Hawke has had a four-decade career in Hollywood and is now enjoying a strong second phase, starring in FX’s The Lowdown, which recently completed its first season, and the successful Black Phone franchise. While many recognize Hawke from his breakthrough role in the 1989 film Dead Poets Society, his actual film debut was four years earlier in a little-known sci-fi movie called Explorers, which was a box office failure.
The director said the studio "ruined" the sci-fi film.
Despite the movie’s commercial failure, Explorers marked the beginning of Hawke’s long and varied film career. The film was often seen as an imitator of E.T., limiting its impact at the time.
Additional Context
- Ethan Hawke’s career spans over 40 years, transitioning from youthful roles to more complex characters today.
- The Lowdown is an FX series that recently finished its first season, featuring Hawke in a starring role.
- Explorers was a science fiction film overshadowed by other hits and criticized by its director for studio interference.
Author’s Summary
Ethan Hawke’s career started with a box office flop, Explorers, but he has since built a lasting presence in Hollywood with acclaimed roles well into his fifties.