Clint Eastwood has denied giving an interview to the Austrian newspaper Kurier, which published an article quoting him as criticizing the film industry for lacking originality. The alleged interview, released on Friday, portrayed Eastwood expressing nostalgia for the classic era of Hollywood and lamenting the modern trend of remakes and franchises. The comments were attributed to Eastwood in a Q&A format and quickly circulated among several media outlets.
According to the Kurier article, Eastwood allegedly remarked on the decline of creative filmmaking, referencing classics like Casablanca and criticizing the current reliance on sequels and franchise films. He was quoted as saying that although he had made sequels himself, he had long lost interest in them and preferred pursuing original ideas. These remarks painted a picture of Eastwood as disenchanted with the direction of contemporary cinema.
Clint Eastwood Slams Fake Interview as Kurier Faces Scrutiny Over Fabricated QuotesEastwood Denies Kurier Interview, Calls Quotes Fake as Paper Launches Investigation
However, Eastwood promptly refuted the authenticity of the interview in a statement to Deadline. He clarified that he had not spoken to Kurier or any journalist recently and called the interview “entirely phony.” The filmmaker also confirmed his age, noting that while he had indeed turned 95, the statements attributed to him were fabricated and not based on any real conversation.
In response to Eastwood’s denial, Kurier updated its original article with a disclaimer, stating that it is now investigating the situation. The newspaper promised to follow up with more information once the inquiry is complete. The incident raises questions about the verification process in journalism and the importance of fact-checking interviews with public figures.