Celebrated director pays tribute to Broadway and the French New Wave in two highly anticipated 2025 projects
Renowned filmmaker Richard Linklater is doubling down on cinematic storytelling this year with the upcoming release of two feature films: Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague. Following his 2024 successes with Hit Man and the overlooked docuseries God Save Texas: Hometown Prison, the Boyhood and Before trilogy director continues his creative momentum into 2025.
‘Blue Moon’: A Love Letter to Broadway’s Golden Era
Having premiered at the 2025 Berlinale, Blue Moon will receive a theatrical release this fall, as confirmed by Sony Pictures Classics through their official CinemaCon program guide. The film stars longtime Linklater collaborator Ethan Hawke alongside Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Andrew Scott.
Set on the night of March 31, 1943, Blue Moon imagines an introspective moment in the life of legendary Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart. As Hart drinks alone at Sardi’s, reflecting on his fading confidence, his former creative partner Richard Rodgers celebrates the groundbreaking opening night of Oklahoma! just blocks away.
Described as “a funny Valentine to old Broadway,” the film explores themes of legacy, self-worth, and artistic partnership amid the vibrant world of wartime New York theatre.
According to critic David Katz, Blue Moon is “the kind of film only a veteran filmmaker could make,” full of Linklater’s signature quirks but delivered with a maturity that reflects his decades-long career.
‘Nouvelle Vague’: A Cinematic Tribute to the French New Wave
Also on Linklater’s 2025 slate is Nouvelle Vague, a stylized homage to the French New Wave, chronicling the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s iconic debut Breathless (À bout de souffle). Filmed in the visual and narrative style of 1960s France, the project celebrates a generation of filmmakers that revolutionized cinema.
While the film is still seeking U.S. distribution, French distributor ARP Sélection has confirmed an October 8 release in France. With a runtime of 105 minutes, Nouvelle Vague dives into the creative chaos and cultural revolution that defined the era.
The ensemble cast includes Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Godard, Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, and Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo, alongside portrayals of cinematic giants like François Truffaut, Claude Chabrol, Éric Rohmer, Agnès Varda, and Jacques Rivette.
Cannes 2025 Debut Likely
Given Linklater’s prestige and the thematic significance of Nouvelle Vague, speculation is growing that the film could premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, offering it a global platform before wider international release announcements.
A Director in Full Creative Bloom
As Linklater continues to challenge cinematic conventions and explore new narrative frontiers, both Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague underscore his ability to shift between intimate human stories and meta cinematic reflections. Whether celebrating the golden lights of Broadway or the smoky streets of 1960s Paris, 2025 is shaping up to be a remarkable year for one of America’s most versatile auteurs.
Stay tuned for exact release dates and distribution updates as Blue Moon heads to theaters and Nouvelle Vague prepares for its French debut.