CNN+ to Premiere Ethan Hawke-Directed Film

The Last Movie Stars, directed by Ethan Hawke and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, will debut exclusively on CNN+ later this year.

From CNN Films and HBO Max, the six-chapter film celebrates the enigmatic personas, talent and love story of actors Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman through contemporary and archival interviews.

Central to the film is a collection of transcribed interviews for an abandoned project commissioned by Newman. The interviews, conducted by Stewart Stern, were with Elia Kazan, Sidney Lumet, Karl Malden, Sidney Pollack, Gore Vidal, Jacqueline Witte and Woodward. They discussed Newman’s youth, his first marriage, his life with Woodward, his personal demons and the loss of his son Scott. Actors Karen Allen, George Clooney, Oscar Isaac, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Zoe Kazan, Laura Linney, Sam Rockwell and more will voice the transcriptions.

Hawke also interviewed several of Newman’s daughters, as well as Sally Field, Melanie Griffith and Scorsese to discuss what made Woodward and Newman’s careers so inspiring to many.

The Last Movie Stars is produced by Emily Wachtel and Lisa Long Adler of Nook House Productions, Ryan Hawke of Under the Influence Productions and Adam Gibbs. Executive producers are Scorsese; Amy Entelis, executive VP of talent and content development for CNN Worldwide; and Courtney Sexton, senior VP of CNN Films.

The film is slated to premiere on CNN+ but will be made available later via HBO Max.

“Exploring Woodward and Newman through their 50-year love affair has proven more rewarding than I could have imagined,” said Hawke. “Their work, philanthropy and lives serve as a kind of North Star, illuminating what a substantive, meaningful life can look like.”

“Ethan’s brilliant vision illuminates what fascinates us about Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman in a film worthy of their talents and passions,” said Entelis. “We look forward to sharing this unique, multi-chapter story with CNN+ subscribers.”