Though working on set together was initially a little awkward due to the uncharted waters of their professional relationship, it didn’t take long for father-daughter duo Ewan and Clara McGregor to find their footing with each other while filming their new movie, Bleeding Love.
When Clara, 28, was struck with an idea for a “father-daughter road trip film” that was “inspired by some of the things” she had experienced with her dad, she knew she wanted him to be involved in the project more than just conceptually. Though the Star Wars icon “didn’t know what to expect” when he received the script, he was moved by his daughter’s screenplay enough to agree to join the cast list.
During a joint interview with TODAY, Ewan shared, “I didn’t know what to expect, and I was absolutely blown away by the script’s very beautiful story.” The Doctor Sleep star opened up about their first day on set together, telling the outlet, “The first morning we got to the makeup bus and Clara’s in makeup and I’m in makeup and that was … odd.” After chuckling, Ewan continued, “And the second we started playing the scenes together, it was totally normal and lovely.”
Overall, the actor said his experience working with his eldest daughter was “very, very seamless and easy and normal.” Ewan added, “We’ve got this life history together that’s evident on the screen. You can’t deny it.”
Clara, who produced Bleeding Love, dug into the subtleties of their relationship that inspired the film — particularly its title. “It’s a total core memory for me, that song,” Clara said of Leona Lewis’ 2007 hit, “Bleeding Love.” The burgeoning entertainment multi-hyphenate continued, “We were, as a family, really into Leona Lewis and that album and that song. I will always remember my dad driving me to school, and right as we pulled up in front of school, just blasting that song so loud, and I would just duck and hide, and everything was embarrassing to me, I think, at that age,” she bashfully recalled.
In addition to Clara, Ewan shares daughters Esther, 22, Jamyan, 21, and Anouk, 13, with his ex-wife Eve Mavarkis. Now married to fellow actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead, the Moulin Rouge star is also dad to their 2-year-old son, Laurie.
Of becoming a boy dad for the first time, Ewan shared, “I had no experience with little boys. My youngest daughter, Anouk, is 13 now, and suddenly Laurie arrives, my son, and it’s just a different ballgame altogether,” the actor said. He added, “But [it’s] absolutely wonderful. He’s a wonderful little man. The most beautiful thing is to see him with his sisters.”
Ever the proud dad, the Obi-Wan star continued, “Right from the word ‘go,’ he knows his sister. He’s got a special bond with these girls.” Clara agreed with her dad, adding, “It’s such a gift. It really is amazing.” She shared, “I grew up most of my life with only little sisters, so getting to see what a little boy is like has been so fun. He’s just a bundle of joy.”
Before you go, check out these celebrity siblings who have big age gaps.
