Hobie offers a peaceful refuge within the epic world ofThe Goldfinch.
EW caught up with Wright on capturing Hobies essence, telling a deeply New York story, and more.
Its one of those books that resonates on humanistic, personal levels.
Macall Polay/Warner Bros.
I was approached by [director] John Crowley to play the part of Hobie.
I read the script and I said yes.
It was a pretty simple process.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Hobie is many things.
Hes a soulful person.
Hobie is the heart of this story in a lot of ways, particularly for Theo.
Obviously, Hobie has lost his business partner, but perhaps he lost more than that.
But also, he brings back this token of this man who was integral to Hobies life.
Theres solace on both sides in that initial meeting that they provide one another.
Whats borne of that is this strange new New York family.
[Laughs]
You mentioned the New York family that develops, andThe Goldfinchis a very New York story.
All of us who live there know its anything but that.
Hes found himself as a man, but hes also found himself as an artist and as a species-being.
It does ground him in this city thats steel and concrete.
Theres a realness to that for him.
Theres a sturdiness for him, in the midst of all the energy of New York.
The same things that attract Theo to him.
You went into these places that were completely unimaginable.
Oh, you make 5,000 cheesecakes a day?
Youd find these worlds that intertwine their destinies, worlds that exist, like [Hobies].
Spaces like that are made any place in the country, in the world.
Hes a restorer and also a fabricator.
He showed me the ropes and how to touch these pieces.
How to see them.
He was incredibly helpful.
But I used to go antiquing with my mom when I was a kid.
This opportunity allowed me to reflect on some of those memories.
