Ever since Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy ended with “Before Midnight” back in 2013, there has been endless speculation regarding a possible fourth movie, at least partially because the previous films were separated by nine years, and mostly because people can’t get enough of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. While absolutely nothing is confirmed as of now, there may be a bit of hope in the future of the film series.
READ MORE: Ethan Hawke Likes The Idea Of An Epilogue Film To Follow The ‘Before’ Trilogy
While speaking with IndieWire, Ethan Hawke talked about his career-defining role as Jesse in the “Before” trilogy. After confirming that a fourth film is “still being talked about,” Hawke addressed how the production timeline of the trilogy would mean that a fourth movie would have to be released in 2022. “If the first three were all nine years apart, the fourth would not follow that trajectory,” Hawke said. “Linklater would want a different path, either a short film set four years after ‘Midnight’ or a feature two decades in the future. We think about it.” The actor then confirmed that any potential future installments would only happen if they can “make sure we have something to say.”
It’s not like Hawke didn’t show interest in the project, describing the trilogy as “the three best experiences of my life: ‘Before Sunrise,’ ‘Before Sunset,’ and ‘Before Midnight.’ They are a part of me. So the idea of revisiting it, I would have to believe we could make something as good.”
Of course, like pretty much everything else these days, the conversation also turned to the coronavirus, with Ethan Hawke imagining what a potential fourth “Before” film revolving around a quarantine could look like. “Wouldn’t it be hysterical if the next movie was just them in isolation?” Hawke said. “If there’s one person to make the world laugh about what’s happening now it’s Julie Delpy. I cant imagine what she would say about this. And Linklater is such a scientist. He has something powerful to say about this. Maybe this one should be set in Italy. Just go right into the fire and [Jesse and Celine] are singing with all those people on their porches.”