As the Oscar winner gets to work on developing what’s intended to be his final directorial film, Quentin Tarantino is reportedly passing off the reins for aOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodsequel. Tarantino’s original 2019 film chronicled the end of the Golden Age of Hollywood and told an interconnected set of stories of those involved in the film industry, namely fictional actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth. Led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt andMargot Robbie as Sharon Tate, the film was a critical and commercial hit, with Tarantino planning various follow-up media.
The Playlistwere the first to reveal that aOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodsequel is in the works without Tarantino set to direct. Instead, the film is reportedly set to be directed by David Fincher, with the project focusing on Brad Pitt’s stunt double Cliff Booth, and the script is one Tarantino penned that was originally supposed to be the now-cancelledThe Movie Critic. The publication’s sources also report that the film is already slated to begin filming in Summer 2025.
What This Means For Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
The Sequel Spinoff Would Mark A Series Of Firsts
While certainly not the first time in his career, Tarantino passing off the script fortheOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodsequelwould markthe first time in nearly 30 years since he helped write a project that he didn’t ultimately direct. As he was in the early days of breaking out withReservoir DogsandPulp Fiction, Tarantino memorably had a few scripts go to other directors, includingTrue RomanceandNatural Born Killers, the latter of which was also infamously thoroughly rewritten by director Oliver Stone, David Veloz, and Richard Rutowski.
Every Unmade Quentin Tarantino Movie Sequel & Spinoff Explained
Quentin Tarantino has a long list of unmade sequels and spinoffs of his movies, and many of them might never see the light of day.
For him to be willing to hand over the reins of the film to Fincher would mark a pretty promising sign for how he was pitched on the idea, particularly given the director’s similar lack of sequels. Ever sincehis feature directorial debut onAlien 3became an infamously troubled production,Fincher has almost only directed original and first-adaptation projects, the sole exception being the American remake/adaptation ofThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. While it would make sense he would be wowed by Tarantino’s script, Pitt’s enthusiasm is sure to be a driving force for building the bridge between them.
Pitt and Fincher have worked on three films together, which includesSe7en,Fight ClubandThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
The other major factor to consider if the deal does go through is thatTarantino may now be open to considering pitches for expansions of his other properties, includingOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood. There was a point in which he expressed interest both in a properBounty LawTV show that he had written, as well as seeing an adaptation ofLancerfromHollywood’s universe developed into a film by Robert Rodriguez. With frequenthopes for aKill Bill Vol. 3, an eager pitch paired with an exciting director from Uma Thurman could make such a thing happen.
Our Take On The Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Sequel
Fincher Is An Interesting Choice For The Material
Given how protective Tarantino has always been about his films, I don’t necessarily see theOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodsequel moving forward without him as a sign that it will continue to happen with other projects of his. That being said, I do findFincher a somewhat surprising choicefor the project, as he is better known in the world of thrillers, whereas Pitt’s Cliff Booth and the general world of Tarantino’s original leans comedic. However, I also believe directors should always look for something out of their norm to challenge themselves creatively, and this might be perfect for Fincher.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Cast
Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, which takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood. The two lead characters are Rick Dalton, the former star of a western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth. Both struggle to make it in a Hollywood they don’t recognize anymore, but Rick soon realizes he’s the next-door neighbor of the infamous Sharon Tate.
