Ethan Hawke Regrets His Bold “Today” Show Claim: 'I'm Mad at Myself' for Saying My Next Film Is 'the Best'
- - Ethan Hawke Regrets His Bold “Today” Show Claim: 'I'm Mad at Myself' for Saying My Next Film Is 'the Best'
Katie HillJanuary 14, 2026 at 3:50 AM
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Today/YouTube
"Personally I have no doubt in saying it will be among the greatest films ever made," Ethan Hawke said on Today to Craig Melvin regarding his upcoming tenth project with director Richard Linklater.
Hawke is now redacting that statement, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "I don't know why I said that."
The Oscar nominee is still very excited about the upcoming film, which will be a dialogue-heavy period piece.
Ethan Hawke is scared he might've overhyped an upcoming project in an interview with Today.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, Hawke, 55, joined the Today show's Craig Melvin to discuss his Golden Globe nomination for Blue Moon, and his upcoming project with longtime collaborator Richard Linklater. This next film — the title of which is yet to be announced — will mark Hawke's tenth project with director Linklater, one he bragged on live TV will be the best one yet.
"Everything’s been preparation for what’s to come," Hawke told Melvin. "The 10th is going to be the best."
Following questioning from Melvin, Hawke doubled-down on his statement, adding, "Personally I have no doubt in saying it will be among the greatest films ever made."
Later in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published on Tuesday, Jan. 13, he walked back his dramatic promise.
"I don't know why I said that," Hawke told THR. "I’m mad at myself. The problem with doing so many interviews is eventually you lose your mind. It’s like a guy who stayed at the party too long. You just talk too much."
Christopher Polk/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty
Ethan Hawke with wife Ryan Hawke at the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards
Hawke might regret the level of enthusiasm he used on Today, but he ensured he's still very confident about the project. "Whenever we make it — and I think it will be this year — it’ll be the heaviest lift of our lives, but we’re really ready."
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Apart from Linklater as the director and production most likely starting in 2026, not much has been shared about the film. What we do know, is it will be a period piece — similar to Blue Moon — and will most likely be very dialogue-heavy.
"We're inside a period. We're inside real time. The filmmaking and acting have to be completely in sync," Hawke previously shared with PEOPLE regarding Blue Moon — a sentiment we can assume will apply to this mysterious unnamed tenth collaboration.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
