Clint Eastwood denies fake interview about new movie at 95, making it clear he never spoke with the Austrian outlet Kurier, which falsely claimed he was in pre-production for a new film. The acclaimed veteran director, who turned 95 in May, has issued a public statement to clarify the misinformation and address the rumors that circulated after the publication’s report.
Eastwood responds to false claims about his involvement in a new film project
Recently, excitement spread among fans and media when reports surfaced suggesting that Clint Eastwood was starting work on a new movie at age 95, following last year’s “Juror #2.” These claims originated from Austrian newspaper Kurier, which published what it described as an interview with the legendary filmmaker. According to their story, Eastwood was determined to remain active in the industry and planning another project, fueling speculation that his directing career was not yet over.
The supposed interview also included statements attributed to Eastwood, such as his opposition to Hollywood’s continued emphasis on sequels and remakes and comments about his unique approach to filmmaking. Kurier reported that Eastwood only filmed first takes with actors, that he drew motivation from his love for cinema even in his nineties, and that he was disappointed with the current state of the industry. These details caused a stir, as many believed the iconic director was voicing discontent with contemporary filmmaking trends and indicating a desire to continue creating original stories.
The truth surfaced when Eastwood himself addressed the situation. He came forward to denounce the supposed interview as fake, publicly stating that he had not communicated with Kurier at any point, nor had he shared the opinions quoted in their article. In a statement sent to Deadline, Eastwood directly confronted the publication’s falsehoods:
“I thought I would set the record straight. I can confirm I’ve turned 95. I can also confirm that I never gave an interview to an Austrian publication called Kurier, or any other writer in recent weeks, and that the interview is entirely phony.”
—Clint Eastwood, Director and Actor
This clear denial left little room for doubt regarding the authenticity of Kurier’s claims. In the days following the publication of the supposed interview, Eastwood had not appeared in public or spoken with any journalists, making any recent conversation impossible. Moreover, his statement was one of the first communications he had made to the public in months, as he has largely stayed out of the spotlight since the release of “Juror #2.” Fans who initially hoped for a new film from the Gran Torino star were left disappointed by the confirmation that the interview was fraudulent and that Eastwood is not currently developing another project.
Kurier retracts and investigates as media spreads phony details
After Eastwood’s statement, the Austrian publication Kurier added a disclaimer to their original article. The outlet claimed they were examining the situation to verify the chain of events that led to the so-called interview being published. However, the alleged interview’s content had already spread widely, picked up by other websites and news outlets that repeated many of the fabricated statements attributed to the director.
One of the most striking sections of Kurier’s report claimed that Eastwood was actively fighting against Hollywood’s pattern of favoring franchises, remakes, and sequels over original films. According to Kurier, Eastwood lamented the loss of creativity and originality in the industry, referencing classic films and the environment in which screenwriters once worked. One example highlighted by Kurier read as follows:
“I long for the good old days when screenwriters wrote movies like Casablanca in small bungalows on the studio lot. When everyone had a new idea. We live in an era of remakes and franchises. I’ve made sequels three times, but I haven’t been interested in them for a long time. My philosophy is, do something new or stay home.”
—Clint Eastwood, as falsely attributed by Kurier
This fabricated quote played into ongoing frustrations within the film community and among the public. Many fans, as well as actors and screenwriters, have grown weary of the entertainment industry’s reliance on retreading existing intellectual property instead of investing in original works. The trend was referenced in the context of Ryan Coogler’s film “Sinners,” which stood out as one of the few recent successful original films, though it too appears to be spawning a sequel. The climate in Hollywood, marked by endless live-action remakes, adaptations, and sequels, has drawn criticism from those calling for more innovative and fresh storytelling.
Ironically, “Juror #2,” Eastwood’s most recent project, suffered from issues that echoed the concerns falsely credited to him. The movie reportedly received only a limited release from Warner Bros, allegedly hindering its box office potential and leading some fans to accuse the studio of mishandling the swan song of a storied director. Speculation arose that the limited distribution reflected the studio’s lack of faith in original, non-franchise films, but these themes were only ever discussed in the fabricated interview, never by Eastwood himself.
The wider impact of media misinformation and what comes next for Eastwood
This incident has become a high-profile example of how easily misinformation can spread in the digital age, especially when it surrounds beloved figures like Clint Eastwood. The rapid pickup of Kurier’s “interview” by other outlets underscores the challenges faced by reputable publications and the public alike in verifying the authenticity of news. Although Kurier has acknowledged the controversy and begun an internal review, the false quotes attributed to Eastwood made global rounds before any correction or clarification was broadcast.
For Eastwood, the false reports have inadvertently cast a spotlight on the director once more, even as he enjoys a break from filmmaking after a legendary career that has spanned decades. The veteran’s detailed statement leaves no doubt regarding his position: there are no current plans for a new film, and the supposed interview was nothing more than a fabrication.
Fans of Eastwood, the broader film community, and those attentive to issues of media integrity now look to outlets like Kurier to fully account for their reporting and prevent such incidents from recurring. Meanwhile, the controversy may feed further debate about the ongoing status of original filmmaking in Hollywood and the measures necessary to maintain public trust in entertainment journalism. As the dust settles, Eastwood’s correction offers a reminder of the importance of seeking facts, especially when speculation blurs the lines between story and truth.
