Hayden Panettiere Was ‘Really Lonely’ and ‘Struggling’ While Filming Her Final Movie Before Death, Justin Chatwin Reveals

Justin Chatwin opened up about working with Hayden Panettiere in her final movie role before her death at 36, recalling the personal conversations they shared while filming Sleepwalker.

"I could tell she was struggling, and I was like, 'I don’t think it’s this movie,'" Chatwin told People.

He added, "There’s a handful of women that I’ve worked with that I really liked, and I really loved working with her, but I also know that she was really lonely."

The actors reconnected for the psychological thriller after previously crossing paths during Panettiere’s years on the superhero drama Heroes.

While working together, the Shameless actor said he noticed a difference in the longtime actress.

The War of the Worlds star reflected on how the film’s difficult themes shaped his experience with Panettiere on set.

"We hit it off great and it was an awesome shoot, but it was about domestic abuse and it was subject matter that may have hit close to home, because she did mention it. She opened up to me about a lot of things," he said.

The Dragonball Evolution star also noticed a difference in the late actress when they reunited years after first crossing paths.

"Hayden seemed different when I met her this time than when I met her in the early years," he said.

Drawing from his own experience with sobriety, the Canadian actor reflected on what he recognized in Panettiere’s struggles.

He said, "I’ve been sober for 15 years, so I know this world of addiction, and Hollywood — it takes, and it takes from youth."

The Scream VI star became a mother to her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. In 2018, she gave Klitschko full custody while navigating addiction and postpartum depression.

Chatwin also recalled how Remember the Titans alum carried herself when they were away from the demands of performing.

"I’m sure that everyone else is going to say 'Oh, she’s amazing. She’s such a sweet person on set,' because she was," he said.

"But we’re trained to be actors, so we’re acting on set, you know? And she is sweet. She had a beautiful heart. But we’re trained to be on, and I really liked spending time with her because she took that off, and she was authentic with me about her life and she opened up about her struggles with addiction. And who knows where it comes from? Does it come from Hollywood? Does it come from home? And a lot of times, it’s both," he recalled.

Brandon Auman, who wrote and directed Sleepwalker, also reflected on the Nashville TV series star's death.

"She was such a bright, open, numinous spirit. I keep thinking back to our time on set and how much she taught me," Auman wrote in a statement to People on August 17.

He continued, "She was open and honest about the last few years of her life and how it related to her character. I’m keeping those conversations private, but I was struck by how complex and deeply introspective she was. She lived a dozen lives in one short beautiful life. I’ll miss her forever."