Ethan Hawke Considers Reviving 'Before' Trilogy with New Approach

In October 2025, acclaimed actor Ethan Hawke opened up about the potential for a new installment in the beloved "Before" trilogy. The series, which chronicles the relationship between Hawke's character Jesse and Julie Delpy's Celine over two decades, concluded in 2010 to widespread critical acclaim.

Despite the trilogy's apparent finality, Hawke revealed that he is not entirely opposed to the idea of reviving the franchise, though he believes the original story has reached a natural conclusion. "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," the 54-year-old actor explained.

However, Hawke did not rule out the possibility of exploring the characters' lives in a new way. "If we were to do another, it might not be a 'Before' film. It could be something new -- maybe the 'After' series," he suggested. The actor emphasized that any such endeavor would require him, Delpy, and director Richard Linklater to be "in sync about what we wanted to say."

Fans of the "Before" trilogy have long been clamoring for a continuation of the beloved story, and Hawke's comments have reignited their hopes. The original trilogy, which began with "Before Sunrise" in 1995, went on to become one of the most acclaimed and emotionally resonant film franchises in modern cinema, earning universal praise from critics and audiences alike.