Actor Ethan Hawke has revealed that his next collaboration with director Richard Linklater is set to be their most outstanding project to date, stirring excitement among fans of their previous films. Hawke shared the news during a television appearance, emphasizing that the Ethan Hawke upcoming Linklater movie could surpass all their earlier works in ambition and quality.
Hawke Anticipates an Unprecedented Milestone in Collaboration
Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater have developed a noteworthy creative partnership over the years, working on films such as Before Sunrise, The Newton Boys, Waking Life, Tape, Before Sunset, Fast Food Nation, Before Midnight, Boyhood, and most recently, Blue Moon. Their upcoming tenth film marks a significant milestone, and Hawke expressed an unwavering belief in its potential.
When speaking about the new project on the Today show with Craig Melvin, Hawke stated,
“Everything’s been preparation for what’s to come. The 10th is going to be the best.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor. Melvin acknowledged the boldness of this claim, but Hawke remained confident in his prediction.
“I’m not even shy. I’m not even nervous about saying it. We’ve been thinking about this movie since 1998. He’s [Linklater’s] been thinking about it longer than that. He’s had this dream for a long time in his head, and it’s gonna be good.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor.
The actor further elevated expectations by claiming the film would be
“among the greatest films ever made.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor. He also remarked,
“And I’ll be back on your show in about 18 months to back it up,”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor, suggesting a likely release date in 2027.
Historical Setting and Creative Vision Revealed
Details shared by Hawke indicate the movie is set in a past era, offering audiences a period piece. Richard Linklater, known for his unconventional narrative styles, discussed his vision in an earlier interview with Filmmaker magazine.

“I’m trying to make a bigger historical thing from the 19th century [about] the transcendentalists — Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Thoreau. The 19th-century American radicals. The hippies of the 1830s and 40s, the beginnings of feminism, environmentalism, abolitionism, all that,”
– Richard Linklater, Director. He also noted a political backdrop, saying,
“They’ve got a s—– president, Andrew Jackson.”
– Richard Linklater, Director.
With inspirations drawn from the transcendentalist movement and historic figures such as Emerson, Margaret Fuller, and Thoreau, the film is positioned to explore themes of feminism, environmentalism, and abolitionism during Andrew Jackson’s presidency. The narrative described as a look into America’s radical traditions, is expected to provide a reflective take on social change.
Potential Cast and Release Timeline
Recent discussions have mentioned that Linklater hopes to cast Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac in the film, though their involvement is still unofficial at this stage. Both Portman and Isaac are recognized for their impactful roles in American cinema, and their joining would add significant talent to the project.
While the team has not confirmed a finalized release schedule, Hawke’s statement about returning for another interview in “about 18 months” hints that audiences might expect the movie to premiere as early as 2027. The anticipation follows the success of previous Hawke-Linklater collaborations like Boyhood and Blue Moon.
Anticipated Impact and Future Expectations
This forthcoming film signals an ambitious new chapter for Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater, blending historical narrative with timely themes. Given the history of inventive storytelling in their past films and the focus on prominent social thinkers and reformers, the Ethan Hawke upcoming Linklater movie is poised to attract considerable attention. If the project fulfills its promise, it can enrich American film with a complex portrayal of the nation’s formative years and its radical visionaries, further cementing the duo’s legacy in cinema.
