Levon Hawke, the 24-year-old son of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, has been cast in his first leading feature film role opposite two-time Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins in the independent drama Twenty-Seven, according to Variety. Written and directed by Gregory Caruso, the project is currently in production in Los Angeles under Caruso's Bristol Pictures banner.

The announcement marks a major career milestone for the younger Hawke, who moves from supporting roles in ensemble projects to carrying a dramatic feature alongside one of cinema's most decorated performers. As reported by PEOPLE, David Worthen Brooks and Dustin Cook are producing the film.

A Story of Mentorship and Personal Struggles

In Twenty-Seven, Hawke portrays a 27-year-old aspiring screenwriter trying to break into the film industry while managing personal relationships and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Hopkins, 88, plays the young writer's friend and mentor, an 80-year-old former television actor who transitioned into a career as a theater professor while battling Parkinson's disease.

For Caruso, securing Hopkins for the pivotal mentorship role exceeded his initial expectations when drafting the script. "I wrote this character hoping someone like Anthony Hopkins would play him. I never imagined it would actually be Anthony Hopkins," Caruso told Variety. "He brings a mastery to the role I still can't fully describe, and Levon meets him in every scene with real vulnerability and intelligence."

The director noted that the narrative focuses on generational connection and the difficulties of early adulthood. "At its heart, 'Twenty-Seven' is about the uncertainty of growing up, feeling stuck between where you are and where you want to be, and the people who help you find your way," Caruso said.

Production Details and Creative Team

Filming is currently underway in Los Angeles. Brooks, whose past credits include Misty Green and Appendage, produces alongside Cook, known for Flock of Four and The Frontier.

Caruso has assembled an experienced independent film crew to bring the Los Angeles-set drama to the screen.

According to Diário da Mídia and US trade reports, the behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Matthew Pothier (Mutt), production designer Emma Rose Mead (To Leslie), and costume designer Jenny Eagan (Knives Out). Hair and makeup are led by Mandy Artusato and Gina Marie DeAngelis (One Battle After Another), with Aleshka Ferrero (Euphoria) serving as editor and Vickie Thomas (Michael, Misty Green) overseeing casting.

Levon Hawke's Rising Hollywood Profile

While Twenty-Seven represents his first time top-lining a motion picture, Hawke has steadily built a resume across film, television, and theater over the past three years. An actor and composer, he first gained industry notice in the 2023 Apple TV+ series The Crowded Room.

In 2024, he made his feature film debut in Zoë Kravitz's thriller Blink Twice and appeared alongside Peter Dinklage in the western The Thicket.

That same year, he collaborated with his family on the independent drama Wildcat, which was directed by his father, Ethan Hawke, and starred his 28-year-old sister, Maya Hawke. Speaking about Levon's work during the May 2024 release of Wildcat, Ethan Hawke praised his son's dedication, stating, "He will be a formidable presence, regardless of what he decides to do," as reported by O Globo. The veteran actor also told reporters at the Gotham Awards on December 1, 2025, that he would want Levon to portray him in a potential biopic.

Beyond acting, Levon Hawke made his directorial debut in 2024 with the stage play Picture Day, which he also wrote, focusing on five roommates navigating identity and friendship.

His recent screen credits include Josh Safdie's Oscar-nominated 2025 film Marty Supreme opposite Timothée Chalamet and Hayley Kiyoko's coming-of-age feature Girls Like Girls. Following Twenty-Seven, Hawke is slated to appear in the A24 film Peaked and the second season of the Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Anthony Hopkins's Busy Slate

For Hopkins, Twenty-Seven adds another dramatic role to a prolific late-career run. Known for classic performances in The Silence of the Lambs, The Remains of the Day, Nixon, and The Father, the veteran actor remains highly active across multiple mediums. Hopkins recently released his debut musical album, Life is a Dream, and is attached to several upcoming features, including D.J. Caruso's A Visit to Grandpa's, Richard Eyre's Housekeeper, and Guy Ritchie's Wife & Dog.

Representation for the leads includes CAA and HJTH for Hawke, while Hopkins is represented by UTA and GGSSC.

What We Know About Release Plans

As production continues in California, several distribution and scheduling details remain under wraps.

Has a distributor or release date been secured?

No official release date or distribution partner has been announced. According to AdoroCinema, the film is expected to screen at various film festivals prior to a commercial rollout, though US trade reports from Variety and PEOPLE have not yet confirmed specific festival plans.

Who else will join the cast?

Aside from Hawke and Hopkins, no additional cast members have been disclosed by Bristol Pictures or casting director Vickie Thomas. Further announcements regarding supporting roles—such as the figures involved in the protagonist's personal relationships—are expected as principal photography progresses.

Sources