Hawke lands first lead in Hopkins drama

Levon Hawke will star in his first leading film role opposite two-time Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins in the independent drama Twenty-Seven. The movie is currently in production in Los Angeles, with Gregory Caruso serving as both writer and director. This marks the first time Hawke anchors a feature film, moving beyond the supporting roles that have defined his recent career.

In the narrative, Hawke plays a 27-year-old aspiring screenwriter. The character battles obsessive-compulsive disorder while attempting to navigate personal relationships and break into the film industry. Hopkins portrays the protagonist’s friend and mentor, an 80-year-old television actor turned theater professor who is managing his own diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The pairing places a young actor from a prominent Hollywood family against one of the industry's most decorated veterans.

Director Gregory Caruso stated that he wrote the mentor role specifically envisioning Hopkins for the part. He noted that he never imagined the actor would actually take the job. Caruso described Hopkins as bringing a mastery to the role that he could not fully articulate, while praising Hawke for meeting the veteran with real vulnerability and intelligence in every scene. The filmmaker characterized the film as a story about the uncertainty of growing up and feeling stuck between current circumstances and future aspirations.

The production comes from Caruso's Bristol Pictures banner. David Worthen Brooks and Dustin Cook are serving as producers. The behind-the-camera crew includes director of photography Matthew Pothier and production designer Emma Rose Mead. Costume design is handled by Jenny Eagan, while Mandy Artusato and Gina Marie DeAngelis lead hair and makeup. Editor Aleshka Ferrero and casting director Vickie Thomas round out the key technical team.

Hawke is the son of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman and the brother of Maya Hawke. He made his feature debut in the 2024 thriller Blink Twice and appeared in the Apple TV series The Crowded Room. His subsequent credits include the western The Thicket and the indie film Wildcat, which his father directed. In 2024, he also directed the play Picture Day and appeared in Marty Supreme and Girls Like Girls. He is represented by CAA and HJTH.

Hopkins' recent work includes the release of his debut album, Life is a Dream. He has several other acting projects in development, including D.J. Caruso's A Visit to Grandpa's, Richard Eyre's Housekeeper, and Guy Ritchie's Wife & Dog. Hopkins is represented by UTA and GGSSC.