Josh Hartnett has shared the remarkable story behind his casting in the 1998 film The Faculty, discussing how he was chosen for the role of Zeke without ever looking at the script, reflecting on his unplanned journey into acting. Discussing his early career in a recent Vanity Fair interview, Hartnett explained the unusual series of events that led to what would become a cult-classic performance, highlighting the unexpected nature of his rise in Hollywood and the now-celebrated Josh Hartnett accidental casting in The Faculty.
Early Aspirations Focused on Film Direction, Not On-Screen Stardom
Before he became a recognizable heartthrob in late ’90s movies, Josh Hartnett had a very different vision for his life in the film industry. While many young actors dream of fame and the spotlight, Hartnett had no desire to pursue acting, instead finding inspiration in the artistry of Federico Fellini, Louis Malle, and Fred Lucci. Rather than memorizing lines, he spent evenings soaking in films from these legendary directors, hoping one day to create his own cinematic masterpieces from behind the camera.
“I wasn’t actually interested in film acting, I was interested in films. I thought maybe I’d want to direct if I could ever find a way to direct. I loved the art of film making and would watch like movie after movie each night and I fell in love with Federico Fellini and Louis Malle and Fred Lucci and like a ton of really just amazing filmmakers that was sort of my film School.”
Despite this intense interest in directing, economic challenges and the difficulty of finding directing opportunities led Hartnett down a different path. In need of paying work and unable to secure a directing role, he found himself trying his hand at acting. The opportunity came naturally, first through joining the ABC series Cracker from 1997 to 1998. This experience marked his entrance into the world of entertainment, where his authentic presence started to gain attention.
Chance Auditions Led to the Start of an Acting Career
While working on Cracker, Hartnett found himself approached about auditioning for film roles, even though this wasn’t part of his original career plan. One audition turned into another, and in quick succession, Hartnett found himself cast in several Hollywood projects. He soon landed his first feature film role in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, but as he clarified, this was not the first movie for which he had been cast.
“Halloween H2O was the first film that I made. But I was cast first for The Faculty. Just on this TV show called Cracker I was actually still working on it and someone asked me if I’d audition for a couple of movies.”
This period marked a turning point. While Halloween H20 made it to theaters first in 1998, the iconic casting that would define his career was secured earlier. Hartnett emphasized that The Faculty, directed by Robert Rodriguez, was the project that initially welcomed him into films, though it released after Halloween H20 and is often listed second in his filmography.
Landing Zeke in The Faculty Without Ever Reading the Script
The circumstances surrounding the Josh Hartnett accidental casting in The Faculty are as unconventional as Hartnett’s own path. When he went to meet director Robert Rodriguez for The Faculty, he did so with little preparation—he hadn’t even read the script, a choice that would rattle most actors. Unlike typical screen test stories filled with anxiety and reassurance, Hartnett approached the process with a laid-back attitude, simply going with the flow. This approach, as it turned out, was exactly what Rodriguez was looking for in casting the role of Zeke.
“Met Robert Rodriguez hadn’t read the script and he cast me on the spot essentially for Zeke. Many years afterward I was like ‘what did you see in me?’ Like I didn’t know what I was doing. He’s like ‘it’s precisely because you didn’t know what you were doing you were like too cool to have read the script that I thought you’d be perfect for Zeke’.”
According to Hartnett, Rodriguez recognized a natural quality in him that fit Zeke’s on-screen persona—detached, unintimidated, and authentic. Despite not investing himself in preparation or attempting to impress, Hartnett’s unaffected manner stood out to Rodriguez, leading him to cast Hartnett on the spot. This unlikely meeting and instantaneous decision would prove pivotal, positioning Hartnett as a standout in one of Hollywood’s memorable late-’90s horror films.
The Faculty’s Ongoing Cultural Impact and Hartnett’s Place in Film
As The Faculty went on to become a celebrated cult classic, the story of Hartnett’s chance casting became a notable chapter in Hollywood lore. While the film’s alien-invasion plot and ensemble cast helped anchor its place in pop culture, it was Hartnett’s unexpected journey and portrayal of Zeke that captured audiences and critics alike. Today, the movie is still discussed for its subversive themes and memorable performances, including Hartnett’s, who would go on to star in movies such as Pearl Harbor and Oppenheimer.
Hartnett’s reflections reveal the degree of serendipity that often shapes Hollywood careers and remind audiences that not all stars chase the limelight with intention. His experience highlights how sometimes natural personality traits, like the relaxed cool Rodriguez sensed, can shape a character and influence a film’s legacy. With The Faculty now streaming in the US on Prime Video, both new viewers and longtime fans can witness the performance that started with an unplanned—and accidental—audition. Josh Hartnett’s story continues to resonate as an example of how unanticipated moments and genuine self-acceptance can guide careers in unpredictable directions.
