Julie Delpy: Before Midnight was a challenge

(Cover) - EN Movies - Julie Delpy was cautious of turning Before Midnight into a relationship "horror story".

The actress warmed audience's hearts alongside Ethan Hawke in romantic dramas Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004).

Now the stars are back with the third film in the franchise, which sees the two characters married with kids.

"We were nervous to get in that territory! Each film is a challenge and you get into a subject that is tricky to make still likeable," she confessed to Collider.

"You wanna be real but at the same time you don't want to make a horror film about a relationship!"

All three films are directed by Richard Linklater, whom Julie and Ethan joined in writing the second and third instalments.

The star will think about the script in everyday situations - even when it might not be appropriate.

"I hear lines sometimes that people tell me and moments. I'm always noticing things!" she laughed.

"When you write you become a witness, which is great and awful at the same time. When someone tells you something horrible and you're thinking, 'Great line!'"

Julie and Ethan originally kept filming for the third instalment relatively under wraps, leaving fans guessing about the new movies.

The stars like having a while to think about their next move.

"The luxury we have on this is time. We have nine years to daydream! There's no deadline. We have time to go, 'Actually, that's not stupid... You were right about this part...'"