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, the dynamic duo behind Se7en is working to develop this unexpected project for Netflix, further solidifying Fincher's ongoing partnership with the streaming service. If all goes as planned, the currently untitled sequel will see Brad Pitt reprising his role as the stunt double, Cliff Booth.
The journey of this script into Fincher's hands is quite the tale. It's an evolved version of a story originally titled The Movie Critic, which Tarantino had considered for his final film before shelving it last year. Unwilling to let the concept die, Tarantino has entrusted Fincher with the task of bringing it to the screen.
The Playlist reports that Netflix has acquired the screenplay for $20 million, with a projected budget of $200 million. Filming is slated to begin in California in July, just three months away. While no other casting has been confirmed, it's noted that Leonardo DiCaprio will not be returning as Rick Dalton. Both Fincher and Pitt are prioritizing this project over all others.
Deadline has confirmed The Playlist's report, adding that Pitt received 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 widely regarded as a stellar addition to Tarantino's oeuvre. The sequel, potentially titled Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2, faces the challenge of living up to its predecessor's high standards. The original film concluded with a definitive ending, yet its universe has been further explored in other media.
In 2021, Tarantino released a novelization of the film, which delved deeper into the 1960s California setting and shed light on aspects of Cliff Booth's backstory, including the mystery surrounding his wife's death. This novelization is likely to gain additional significance with the release of the sequel, though its exact relevance remains to be seen.
For more insights into Tarantino's filmography, explore his thoughts on 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.
