David Fincher and Brad Pitt are 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 will be produced for Netflix, further solidifying Fincher's ongoing partnership with the streaming service. The film, currently untitled, will see Pitt reprise his role as the stuntman Cliff Booth.
The script for this sequel originated from a project known as The Movie Critic, which Tarantino had considered for his final film before it was shelved. The screenplay, an evolved version of that story, found its way into Fincher's hands with Tarantino's blessing. Netflix has reportedly acquired the script for $20 million and plans to allocate a $200 million budget for the production, which is scheduled to start filming in California in July.
While no additional casting details have been confirmed, it's noted that Leonardo DiCaprio will not return as Rick Dalton. Both Fincher and Pitt are fully committed to this project, setting aside other endeavors to focus on this sequel.
Deadline has also confirmed that a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel is indeed in development, further validating The Playlist's report. The project's progression from Tarantino's initial script to Fincher's direction marks a significant and surprising development in Tarantino's filmography.
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 landmark in Tarantino's oeuvre. The sequel, however, faces the challenge of living up to its predecessor's conclusive ending. Tarantino's 2021 novelization of the original film delved deeper into the 1960s California setting and provided new insights into Cliff Booth's backstory, including the mystery surrounding his wife's death. This novelization may play a significant role in the sequel, though its exact impact remains to be seen.
For those interested in Tarantino's body of work, further reading includes the director's thoughts on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and comparisons with his other films, as well as our original 7.8/10 review of the movie.
