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An incandescent ‘it couple’ uniquely in a position to float above all of it, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward remained for many years extra dedicated to their household and philanthropic endeavors than the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. The marquee-name pair had been happiest when working with one another—Newman forged Woodward in 4 of the six options he would direct over the course of his life. However they had been additionally fiercely non-public, selecting to boost their youngsters 1000's of miles from the intense lights of Tinseltown.
Within the early days of the pandemic, certainly one of their daughters approached Ethan Hawke with an thought for a challenge about her dad and mom. He readily accepted, and the ensuing six-part documentary, The Final Film Stars, is about to premiere on CNN’s new subscription streaming service, CNN+, in early 2022.
“Exploring Woodward and Newman by their 50-year love affair has confirmed extra rewarding than I may have imagined,” Hawke mentioned in a press release. “Their work, philanthropy, and lives function a sort of North Star, illuminating what a substantive, significant life can seem like.”
The movie, from CNN Movies and HBO Max, will draw closely from Newman’s deserted memoir, a challenge he started laboring on within the Eighties, found within the couple’s dwelling lengthy after Newman’s loss of life in 2008. The unpublished manuscript, in response to writer Alfred A. Knopf, consists of the star’s ideas on “appearing, directing, boyhood, household, fame, Hollywood, Broadway, love, his first marriage, his 50-year marriage to Joanne Woodward, ingesting, politics, racing, his final trip to stardom, and getting older gracefully.”
The Final Film Stars might be government produced by Martin Scorsese, who might be interviewed contemporaneously alongside others like Sally Area and Melanie Griffith. Hawke, recognized for steering the 2014 doc Seymour: An Introduction, has tapped a number of actors to voice authentic interview transcripts, together with George Clooney, Sam Rockwell, Oscar Isaac, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Zoe Kazan, and Laura Linney.
“Ethan’s good imaginative and prescient illuminates what fascinates us about Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman in a movie worthy of their skills and passions. We sit up for sharing this distinctive, multi-chapter story with CNN+ subscribers,” Amy Entelis, government vice chairman for expertise and content material growth for CNN Worldwide, mentioned in a press release.
The Final Film Stars will air on HBO Max at a later date, although CNN Movies will retain streaming and broadcast rights.