Actor Ethan Hawke is reexamining the hit 1994 film, Reality Bites.
During a September 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hawke, who portrayed surly musician Troy in the film, said there’s been talk of a possible sequel from either viewers or those involved in the entertainment industry. Hawke then shared how he believes Troy is currently living his life.
Hawke said he imagines that Troy and filmmaker Lelaina, played by Winona Ryder, married following the events of the movie. However, he seemed to reference that Lelaina and Troy didn’t have the easiest of relationships. The actor also said he believes that Troy is still making music.
“I was like, ‘Well, Troy and Lelaina are still married. But Troy lives in the basement and she lives on the top floor, and he’s recording records with his kids,'” said Hawke during the interview.
In addition, he noted that some fans have debated whether Lelaina made the right choice picking Troy over her ex, television executive, Michael, played by the film’s director, Ben Stiller. Hawke suggested he didn’t think too highly of his Reality Bites character, and not because he made less money than Michael.
“People have been debating [who she should end up with] because there’s a certain kind of person that puts a very high priority on somebody who’s gonna make a lot of money. And if you’re that type of person, you think she should be with Ben Stiller. And, also Troy is not such a great guy,” said Hawke in the interview.
Ethan Hawke Said He Didn’t Want to Star in ‘Reality Bites’
Hawke discussed starring in Reality Bites, alongside Stiller, Ryder, Janeane Garofalo, and Steve Zahn, in a 2007 documentary-style interview, directed by Stuart Mabey. Hawke, who was in his early 20s when he was cast as Troy, said he wasn’t interested in being in the film, which focuses on young post-college adults. He explained that he didn’t want to be in a film that successful. Before filming Reality Bites, Hawke starred in several other projects, like Dead Poets Society, White Fang, and Floundering, per IMDb.
“I didn’t want to do it because I knew it was going to be successful. And I was wary of too much success. And I didn’t want it. I didn’t think a serious artist would covet success. And so, I wasn’t that interested in it. But I thought the script was good,” said Hawke during the 2007 interview.
He also said that Ryder’s star power and Stiller’s abilities as a director made it difficult “to turn down” the film.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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