Linklater Talks Third ‘Before Sunrise/Sunset’

Published by Jeff Leins on: November 27th, 2009

While doing press for his new film, Me and Orson Welles, director Richard Linklater indulged questions about a possible follow-up to the beloved films Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.

Collider shamelessly gushed about the impact of the original before diving into the idea of forming a trilogy with Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke.  Linklater agreed it’s tricky, but said he had just seen Delpy recently and they had jokingly discussed ideas.  It would require a “core idea” that compels them and challenges them to make another, he said.  “We don’t really have an answer.”

Hawke answered a similar question about two years ago where he said Linklater had an outline for a follow-up, but it would have needed to go into production immediately after the second film to work.  “I’ll be shocked if we never make another one,” he said at the time.

Hopeless romantics seem to adore the original 1995 film and with good reason.  It’s one of the few truly great additions to the genre that transcends the conventional hokum in most romantic comedies.  Two young adults share a magical evening together strolling around Vienna just getting to know one another.  It’s perfect in its simplicity.

Which is why fans of the first were nervous about a continuation of the story, a look at where the characters’ lives went after the cliffhanger conclusion.  2004’s Before Sunset still remains in my top favorite films of all time and I regularly bring it up as a rare sequel that is better than the original.  I’ve seen it countless times, yet I still find a new affecting piece of dialogue with every viewing.  I can’t say enough good things about them.