At a Glance
- Ethan Hawke told Today the upcoming Linklater film will be “among the greatest films ever made.”
- He later told The Hollywood Reporter, “I don’t know why I said that.”
- The project will be the actor-director duo’s tenth collaboration and is expected to shoot in 2026.
- Why it matters: Fans have waited years for another Hawke-Linklater project, and the actor’s hype raises expectations even higher.
Ethan Hawke has walked back bold praise he gave on live television about his next movie with longtime collaborator Richard Linklater. The actor now says he got carried away while promoting their tenth joint effort, a still-untitled period drama set to begin production later this year.
The Original Boast
Appearing on NBC’s Today show January 7, Hawke discussed his Golden Globe nomination for Blue Moon and the upcoming Linklater project. When host Craig Melvin asked why viewers should care about the new film, Hawke replied, “Everything’s been preparation for what’s to come. The 10th is going to be the best.”
Pressed further, he escalated: “Personally I have no doubt in saying it will be among the greatest films ever made.”
The Immediate Regret
Six days later, in an interview published January 13 by The Hollywood Reporter, Hawke expressed second thoughts.
> “I don’t know why I said that,” he admitted. “I’m mad at myself. The problem with doing so many interviews is eventually you lose your mind. It’s like a guy who stayed at the party too long. You just talk too much.”
Despite the retraction, Hawke remains enthusiastic. “Whenever we make it – and I think it will be this year – it’ll be the heaviest lift of our lives, but we’re really ready,” he said.
What We Know About the Film
- Title: Not yet announced
- Setting: Period piece, similar in tone to Blue Moon
- Style: Dialogue-heavy, filmed in real time
- Production: Likely to shoot in 2026
- Team: Linklater directing, Hawke starring and co-writing
Hawke previously told News Of Losangeles that Blue Moon required total synchronicity between acting and filmmaking because “we’re inside a period. We’re inside real time.” The same approach is expected for the new feature.
A Partnership Three Decades Strong
Hawke and Linklater first worked together on 1995’s Before Sunrise. Their collaborations include:
- Before Sunset (2004)
- Before Midnight (2013)
- Boyhood (2014)
- Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
- Blue Moon (2025), currently nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes
The upcoming movie will mark their tenth joint credit.
Awards Buzz vs. Hype Control
While promoting Blue Moon, Hawke has navigated questions about Oscars and legacy. The actor, 55, says the awards chatter can distort an artist’s perspective.
> “You just talk too much,” he reiterated, explaining why he now limits how he describes unfinished work.
Still, he hasn’t tempered his excitement for the next script. “We’re really ready,” he emphasized, hinting that production calendars could lock within months.
Key Takeaways
- Hawke’s on-air superlatives generated headlines, but he’s trying to reset expectations.
- The actor blames interview fatigue for the overstatement and promises a more measured tone going forward.
- Little is publicly known about the plot, yet the pedigree of Hawke-Linklater keeps anticipation high.
- Shooting is expected to start in 2026, positioning the film for a 2027 festival run.
