By LOUIS B. HOBSON --

HOLLYWOOD -- There was definitely chemistry on and off the set of the science fiction drama Gattica.

Sparks heated up between Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, who play the young lovers in the brave new world of Gattica.

"In Hollywood, directors have traditionally been considered very expensive matchmakers. These kind of romances happen all the time," says writer/director Andrew Niccol.

"At first, Ethan and Uma tried to conceal their romance, but fortunately they got over that quite quickly. That kind of subterfuge can be damaging to the movie.

"In the long run, it's none of a director's business what's happening with his stars off-set, as long as the chemistry is up there on the screen."

Hawke says he and Thurman are still together.

"I was filming The Newton Boys in Texas all summer, but I was able to make it back to New York almost every weekend to be with Uma."

Hawke dated Julia Roberts briefly, and Thurman dated Timothy Hutton after her divorce from Gary Oldman.


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