Maya Hawke and Rupert Friend shake a leg in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City. The pair portray June Douglas, a religious teacher, and Montana, a handsome, singing cowboy hilariously stuck in a 1955 remote desert town. June and her students have come to participate in the esteemed Junior Stargazers competition. She catches Montana’s eye, and they’re instantly smitten with each other.

Asteroid City is Anderson’s most complex film. The events in the desert are actually part of a stage play. Bryan Cranston co-stars as the narrator of a TV show describing the play’s inception, issues behind the scenes, and eventual successful Broadway run. We also meet the playwright (Edward Norton), director (Adrien Brody), and leads (Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson). The characters leap in and out of the town setting as they question their motivations in the play.
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Hawke thought the script was “beautifully written” but admits to “getting lost.” Anderson guided her process by providing an animatic of the film. She further understood her character during filming and it all “clicked into place” after repeat viewings. Friend agrees that Asteroid City “warrants revisiting.” He appreciates the film’s “layers” and considers the experience a “very enjoyable ride.”

Hawke and Friend have a fantastic scene where they joyously dance to a rebellious student’s rollicking tune. It’s one of the film’s best moments but was surprisingly improvised. Anderson wanted “wildness” and “spontaneity” much to their nervous terror. They weren’t “confident dancers” but were able to get their groove on without choreographed instruction.

The actors were honored to work with Anderson and his veteran ensemble cast. Friend describes an “atmosphere” like going to “summer camp.” Hawke appreciated the lack of a “hierarchy” where everyone sat whichever chair was open. They enjoyed “simple meals” but could have done with “better snacks.” Friend clarified that point by saying the lack of snacks meant you couldn’t get distracted.

Rupert Friend as Montana

Focus Features

MovieWeb: Asteroid City is a film, within a film, within a film. What was your reaction after reading the script?

Maya Hawke: I was really helped by Wes sending me an animatic, which is an animated telling of the entire film. And in reading the script, I personally am not the best reader, but I got a little lost within it all on the page, even though it’s such a beautifully written document in and of itself. But getting to watch it play out, all of a sudden, it all clicked into place. I really started to understand the levels that were operating. Then the more we worked on it, and now the more I’ve watched the film, the deeper and deeper it gets every time.

Rupert Friend: Yes, definitely, there are so many layers going on in this film. It’s a very, very enjoyable ride. But I think it warrants revisiting, like anything that is textured and layered, there’s more to mine it on each viewing. That was true of the reading of it, the making of it, and then the watching of it.

Related: Asteroid City Review: Wes Anderson Delights and Confounds with His Most Abstract Film

MW: Wes Anderson has this incredible veteran ensemble he’s worked with for years. Now you guys are joining this dedicated team. What’s it like as a group being on set with him? Is it a fun atmosphere?

Rupert Friend. It’s a beautiful atmosphere. It’s very collegiate not a clique…clique…cliquey. It’s not got that kind of exclusive hierarchical thing at all. It’s very much a big old summer camp vibe.

Maya Hawke: No phones, no trailers, people have real conversations, there’s very little hierarchy. The snacks aren’t even that great. So it’s really how you talk to each other.

Rupert Friend: There really aren’t any snacks (laughs). So there’s not so many distractions. You sit next to wherever the seat is free, and we have the same simple lunch. I know it sounds a bit unreal, but that’s what it’s really like, and it’s beautiful because of it.

Maya Hawke as June

Focus Features

MW: You two have a rollicking dance scene that’s pretty funny. Talk about that shoot. Were you nervous?

Maya Hawke: We were both pretty terrified. Neither of us are very confident dancers. And we didn’t have a whole lot of rehearsal time.

Rupert Friend: We didn’t have any rehearsal for that, or a choreographer, or anything. So it was basically like, just whip out what you got and let’s have a go. That’s what he shot. It was pretty fast and furious, and very improvisational, which seems to surprise people. But it was definitely what he wanted, the feeling of spontaneity, wildness, and exuberance.

Related: Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City: Where You’ve Seen the Cast Before

Pure Joy

MW: What’s the best day and worst day filming Asteroid City for you both?

Rupert Friend: The worst day is probably the last day…

Maya Hawke: I was just going to say that (laughs).

Rupert Friend: And the best day, in terms of the on camera stuff, that scene with Maya, the band, and the kids was the best day. That was just pure joy.

Maya Hawke: Yeah, me too.

Asteroid City will have a June 16th limited theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles followed by national distribution from Focus Features.