March 2022 marked a huge month for Marvel Studios on multiple fronts, particularly with new additions that came to the studio’s streaming home on Disney+. The formerly Netflix-owned shows like Daredevil and The Defenders moved over to their new home while the MCU’s latest project, Moon Knight, began its streaming run - one which just completed with the recently released sixth episode.
Leading the way in this effort was Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector and Ethan Hawke as Arthur Harrow, who both became Avatars and followers of the Egyptian Gods Khonshu and Ammit by the end of the series. Hawke’s performance in particular added its own new dynamic to the MCU as he unleashed Ammit’s judgment on the world, no matter whether the world’s everyday people deserved it or not.
As Moon Knight moved forward week-to-week, it became one of the MCU’s darkest series to date, almost emulating the same feelings that came from the Netflix shows as they took on a more mature tone and story. Now, as the MCU’s newest series comes to an end, Hawke recently paid tribute to one of the biggest stars of those Netflix shows of days past.
Ethan Hawke on Marvel Netflix Influence
During a Q&A session on Marvel Studios’ Instagram page, Moon Knight star Ethan Hawke was asked who his favorite Marvel character is.
Hawke called Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man “a high watermark,” but he also gave a shoutout to Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin. Hawke even revealed that D'Onofrio's performance was the goal that he aimed for when he first took on the role for Moon Knight.
“So who is my favorite Marvel character? Well it would be very easy to say Robert Downey as Iron Man because that’s still a high watermark for me. But in truth, I think I have to do a shoutout to Vincent D’Onofrio as Fisk. That is a great character portrait. That’s a great performance and when I took this job, I was aiming at him."
Additionally, Hawke shared that he wants his character to eventually meet Mark Ruffalo's Hulk at some point in the future. On top of enjoying working with Ruffalo, the actor sees the giant green monster as someone who "needs a good shrink:"
“If Harrow could meet one other Marvel character, I think I would really like to talk to the Hulk. First off, because I like acting with Mark Ruffalo. I’ve done it before and I think he’s great. And second of all because the Hulk needs a good shrink.”
Kingpin and Hulk on Hawke's Mind
Almost nobody has made more of an impact on the Marvel world as Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin, one of the most revered villains in any Marvel project ever made. Even before the massive antagonist made his way into the MCU via Hawkeye, D'Onofrio brought a vulnerable strength to Wilson Fisk as he ruled over Hell's Kitchen and imposed his will over Daredevil and his close friends.
Considering Harrow's personality and impact on Moon Knight, it's no surprise that Hawke took his cues from a villain that exerted the kind of energy that D'Onofrio's Kingpin did. Moon Knight's lead villain served as one of the blueprints for a great Marvel character, which Hawke saw as plenty of reason to use him as an influence on his own performance.
Additionally, Hawke's mention of Mark Ruffalo shows just how much he and others want to see Bruce Banner back in the story, especially with the actors already having a solid rapport with each other through other projects. Rumors had pointed to Ruffalo potentially making an appearance in Moon Knight, but fans will certainly be eager to see what kind of MCU connections Moon Knight enjoys in the future.
All six episodes of Moon Knight are now available to stream on Disney+.
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