Easygoing, natural and happy go lucky Reese Hartwig provides much of the heart and charm in Earth to Echo, the subtle and whimsical sci fi alien robot caper currently out in theaters. He sat down with us recently to discuss the film, his experience as a young actor in Hollywood, hoarding, zombie apocalypses and getting his drivers license.

Photo Credit: Richard Wright

YOUNG ADULT: What has it been like being singled out as one of the leads in the new film Earth to Echo?

Reese Hartwig: Oh I wouldn’t say anyone is really singled out! Plus, who wants to be single?  Match me up with Ella Wahlestedt (she plays Emma in the movie) any day!

YA: Talk to us about your character in the film, Munch. How are you similar to him, and how is he different?

RH: Munch is a very cautious fellow who is one of the four friends being kicked out of the neighborhood. He is extremely loyal and would never let anything bad happen to his friends and new friend, Echo. We are similar in the sense of having blonde hair and hoarding. Differences? Munch is one of the few who would survive the zombie apocalypse because he is ready for anything and trusts no one. I’m working to be more like that.

YA: What were/are you most excited to see on the big screen? And what are you excited for the audience to see in the film?

RH: I was more excited to see others’ reactions to me on the big screen rather than to see myself, but hey it’s freakin’ cool being in a movie that’s in theaters!

YA: Think there will be a sequel?

RH: My family, Henry Gayden (the writer), Dave Green (the director), and I have been joking around about a more violent sequel, but in all seriousness, I’d love to do it all again!

YA: Any fun stories that happened off camera while on set? 

RH: We only had 28 nights to shoot, which is short for a movie. We were also all minors so we could only work a certain amount of time so there wasn’t much time to waste! While filming we had all kinds of fun improvising scenes, switching things up, and hanging with each other.  It was all FUN!

YA: What has been the best acting or professional advice you’ve received? 

RH: I had an audition for a huge role and ended up making it all the way to the producer callback, but lost the part because I was too tall. I was pretty frustrated, as anyone would be. My dad then told me, “Acting is just like baseball. You can’t be sad over a swing and miss. You might get to first base, second, hell might even get lucky and get a homerun! But, you have to be ready to get a hundred ‘no’s’ before you get a ‘yes’ as an actor. You’ll be back up to swing in no time!”

YA: If you had to pick only one of these word to describe yourself, which would it be and why: ACTOR or KID? 

RH: I guess kid, although I am getting my license in like 2 days. Shouldn’t it be “Young Adult”? I’ll go with that.

YA: If you could play any role from any film or TV show in history, who would it be and why?

RH: Reese Hartwig as King Leonidas in 300, because the one-liners and badassery displayed in that movie from his part were so unbelievably cool.

YA: What would you say is your favorite YA story, book or film? 

RH: Earth To Echo! (Does that count?)

Follow Reese @ReeseHartwig

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