Ethan Hawke recently addressed questions about the potential return of the beloved Ethan Hawke Before Trilogy, which includes Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), and Before Midnight (2013). The acclaimed trilogy, directed by Richard Linklater, follows the evolving relationship between Hawke’s character Jesse and Julie Delpy’s Céline over two decades. Hawke shared his thoughts on whether a fourth installment or continuation is in the works, emphasizing the status of the trilogy as a complete story.
Hawke Reflects on the Trilogy’s Narrative Completion
Speaking on Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast prior to the October 24 U.S. release of his new collaboration with Linklater, Blue Moon, Hawke expressed that the Before Trilogy feels like a closed circle to him, explaining that the three films capture the full arc of the couple’s lives and relationship.
“The answer I usually give is that the three films feel complete. The first one begins with us on a train listening to a couple in their mid-40s fighting, and in the third one, we’ve become that couple. The circle feels complete.”
This perspective highlights the trilogy’s unique structure, starting from a young couple’s initial meeting and ending with them at a more mature, complex stage, reflecting natural relationship progression.
Possibility of a New Project Involving the Original Team
Despite viewing the trilogy as finished, Hawke left the door open to future work involving these characters, stressing that any continuation would require agreement among himself, Delpy, and Linklater. He suggested a new project might not be a traditional “Before” film, but rather something different, potentially an “After” series that could take a new shape.
“If we were to do another, it might not be a ‘Before’ film. It could be something new — maybe the ‘After’ series. But part of what made those movies special is that Julie, Rick, and I were always in sync about what we wanted to say. That could happen again one day — it might start with one phone call or an email. But we don’t want to outlive our fan base.”
Critical and Commercial Acclaim of the Before Trilogy
The Ethan Hawke Before Trilogy stands among the most celebrated achievements in Hawke’s career. Critics have given exceptional praise to the films: Before Sunrise holds a perfect 100% score, with Before Sunset and Before Midnight receiving 94% and 98%, respectively, on Rotten Tomatoes.
Not only critically successful, the trilogy also enjoyed profitable runs despite modest budgets near $3 million each. For example, Before Midnight earned roughly $23 million globally, showcasing a strong return on investment for the intimate, dialogue-driven films.
Current Collaboration Between Hawke and Linklater
Hawke and Linklater continue their professional partnership with the upcoming Blue Moon, which debuts in the United States on October 24. The film features actors Andrew Scott and Margaret Qualley alongside Hawke, and explores the turbulent life of lyricist Lorenz Hart during the period surrounding the opening of the musical Oklahoma!, co-created with his former partner.
Critically, Blue Moon has been well-received, garnering an 88% critic score based on 77 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. While it has not reached the iconic status of the Before Trilogy, the encouraging response may influence future collaborative projects.
Uncertain Future for Further Stories with Jesse and Céline
Although Hawke has suggested continued creative possibilities with Linklater and Delpy, he acknowledged the shifting nature of the film industry since the last Before installment in 2013. This evolving landscape makes it unclear whether a new story about Jesse and Céline would find the same success, even if produced on a low budget similar to the earlier films.
Hawke’s mention of an “After” series leaves room for interpretation—whether this implies a possible television format or another set of films remains unknown. Given the changing definitions of theatrical storytelling, a television adaptation could suit the material well, but any developments will require patience from fans eager for more from this deeply loved narrative.
