Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe are teaming up for the upcoming period epic The Weight, set in 1930s Oregon. Directed by Padraic McKinley, the film follows Samuel Murphy (Hawke), a grieving father imprisoned in a brutal labor camp run by the ruthless overseer Clancy (Crowe). Desperate to regain custody of his daughter Penny, Murphy becomes ensnared in Clancy's deadly gold-smuggling scheme, battling both nature’s perils and betrayal from within his ranks.
Behind the Scenes: The Team and Production
McKinley, known for his work on Kingdom and Debris, directs from an original screenplay by Shelby Gaines, Matthew Chapman, and Matthew Booi. The story, crafted by Booi and Leo Scherman, promises a gripping blend of historical drama and high-stakes tension.
The film, produced by Fields Entertainment, Under The Influence, and augenschein Filmproduktion with Construction Film, is backed by €2 million ($2.07 million) from the Bavarian regional film fund FFF Bayern. Principal photography begins this summer in Bavaria. Simon and Nathan Fields produce for Fields Entertainment, with Ryan Hawke for Under The Influence and Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo for augenschein. Veronica Ferres of Construction Film is co-producer, with Ralf Berchtold as executive producer.
WME Independent and CAA Media Finance secured financing and represent domestic distribution rights, with WME Independent also handling international sales at the European Film Market in Berlin. Capelight Pictures will distribute in Germany.
Hawke will also appear at the Berlin premiere of Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, starring alongside Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Andrew Scott as lyricist Lorenz Hart.
With its stellar cast and thrilling narrative, The Weight promises to be a powerful exploration of loyalty, survival, and sacrifice.
