David Fincher and Brad Pitt are reportedly set to collaborate once again, this time to bring to life a sequel to Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. According to The Playlist, this unexpected project is slated for Netflix, further cementing Fincher's ongoing partnership with the streaming service. The sequel, which is currently untitled, would see Pitt reprise his role as the stuntman Cliff Booth.
The script in question is an evolved iteration of Tarantino's previously abandoned project, The Movie Critic, which was initially considered as the director's final film before being shelved last year. Determined not to let the idea languish, Tarantino has entrusted Fincher with the task of bringing his vision to the screen.
The Playlist reports that Netflix has acquired the screenplay for $20 million, with a projected budget of $200 million. Filming is scheduled to commence in California in July, just three months away. While no additional casting has been confirmed, it is known that Leonardo DiCaprio will not be returning as Rick Dalton. Both Fincher and Pitt are prioritizing this project, setting aside all other commitments.
Deadline has confirmed The Playlist's report, adding that Pitt obtained Tarantino's blessing to share the script with Fincher, leading to this surprising development.
Quentin Tarantino's Most Notable Abandoned (Or Delayed) Projects
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Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, released in 2019, is celebrated as a stellar addition to Tarantino's oeuvre. The sequel, potentially titled Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2, faces high expectations, especially given the original's definitive conclusion. Yet, the universe of the first film has been further explored in other mediums.
In 2021, Tarantino expanded the narrative through a novelization that delves deeper into the 1960s California setting and sheds light on Cliff Booth's backstory, including the unresolved question of his wife's death. This book will likely gain additional significance once the sequel is released, though its exact relevance remains to be seen.
For more insights into Tarantino's filmography, explore how the director feels about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and how it compares to his other works. You can also revisit our original 7.8/10 review of the film.