Ethan Hawke has hinted at the ambiguity surrounding his character, The Grabber, in the much-anticipated sequel The Black Phone 2. With a cloud of mystery veiling what new plotlines his character will explore, Hawke expresses his trust in director Scott Derrickson’s expertise to steer The Grabber into the sequel’s narrative.
In 2021, Hawke made his debut as The Grabber in the thrilling horror, The Black Phone, and quickly became a fan favorite. With a deep admiration for all genres of filmmaking, Hawke revealed in an interview with Screen Rant that he was uncertain of what lies in store for his character in the upcoming sequel, The Black Phone 2.
“I have no idea what I’m trying to explore with my life. I’m an actor and I really enjoy storytelling in all its forms… That director, Scott Derrickson, is really brilliant, and if he asks me to do something, I’ll do it.”
The Enigma Surrounding The Grabber In ‘The Black Phone 2’
While die-hard fans ponder over the (possibly supernatural) return of The Grabber, it remains uncertain whether the sequel will delve into The Grabber’s origins. Derrickson has made it clear that the best villains are often those without a concrete backstory, as the mystery allows for intriguing character development and relentless suspense. Hawke’s character, like the infamous Joker from The Dark Knight, thrives on this inimitable sense of uncertainty.
“I think the best villains that we’ve seen in genre filmmaking don’t try to reduce them to some backstory that explains why they are the way they are. Why is Heath Ledger’s Joker [in The Dark Knight] the way he is? He tells us three or four stories about how he got those scars – probably none of them are true. Maybe one of them is true? The point is, we’ll never know and that just adds to his mystery.”
As suspense builds around the release of The Black Phone 2 on June 27, 2025, one thing is certain: whether The Grabber’s past is revealed or not, his raw, enigmatic charisma is sure to send shivers down our spines.
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