David Fincher to direct Brad Pitt in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ sequel

Apr 2

Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent

By Kennedy Felton (Lifestyle Correspondent), Harry Fogle (Video Editor)

David Fincher is directing the sequel to “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” with Brad Pitt reprising his role as Cliff Booth. Quentin Tarantino wrote the script but is stepping aside.
The sequel is based on Tarantino’s shelved script for “The Movie Critic” and marks another collaboration for Fincher and Pitt, who previously worked on “Fight Club” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
No additional casting, title or release date has been announced, though the sequel represents a new chapter for the celebrated Tarantino-Pitt partnership.

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Director David Fincher is stepping in to direct the “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” sequel, with Brad Pitt reprising his role as stuntman Cliff Booth. Quentin Tarantino wrote the script but is handing off directing duties, according to Variety.

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While Sony Pictures released the original film, Netflix will produce the sequel.

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Script tied to Tarantino’s shelved final film

The “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” sequel will reportedly be based on a script Tarantino developed for what was expected to be his tenth and final film, “The Movie Critic.” However, as The Hollywood Reporter noted, Tarantino shelved that project after initial filming preparations.

Tarantino has long said he plans to stop directing after 10 films. That goal may explain why he’s stepping aside for this one while still playing a key creative role.

Tarantino shifts to film-adjacent projects

Instead of directing, Tarantino has focused on storytelling in new ways. He’s writing a book version of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” developing a play, cohosting a podcast with longtime collaborator Roger Avery, and also recut “The Hateful Eight” as a miniseries for Netflix.

In a 2023 Deadline interview, Tarantino described “The Movie Critic” as taking place in 1977 California.

“It’s based on a guy who really lived but was never really famous, and he used to write movie reviews for a porno rag,” he said.

Pitt and Fincher reunite under Netflix

The sequel also marks a reunion between Fincher and Pitt. The pair have worked together on major films, including “Fight Club” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

This isn’t their first attempt to codevelop a sequel. Fincher and Pitt previously collaborated on a long-delayed follow-up to “World War Z,” which ultimately never made it to production.

As of this report, no additional casting has been confirmed. The “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” sequel does not yet have an official title or release date.

Tags: Celebrities, Entertainment, film, Hollywood, movies, Netflix

[KENNEDY FELTON]

A surprising update on the sequel to one of Quentin Tarantino’s most stylized films—this time, David Fincher is in the director’s chair.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is getting a sequel, and actor Brad Pitt is expected to reprise his role as stuntman Cliff Booth. The movie will reportedly be based on a script Tarantino wrote for what was supposed to be his tenth and final film, The Movie Critic. However, that project was quietly shelved before shooting began. While the original film was a Sony production, the sequel will be produced by Netflix, reflecting Fincher’s ongoing collaboration with the streaming platform.

Pitt, who has a long history with Fincher from films like Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, reportedly received Tarantino’s blessing to show Fincher the script for the sequel. In 2023, Tarantino described The Movie Critic as taking place in 1970s California and being “based on a guy who really lived, but was never really famous, and he used to write movie reviews for a porno rag.”

Tarantino has long said he plans to stop directing after ten films, and this project seems to reflect that creative shift. Instead of solely directing, he’s been focusing on film-adjacent work, such as writing a book version of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, working on a stage play, co-hosting a podcast with longtime collaborator Roger Avery, and re-cutting The Hateful Eight into a limited series for Netflix.

As for Fincher, this isn’t the first time he and Pitt have teamed up on a sequel to someone else’s work. The two were developing a World War Z 2 project for years before it was eventually shelved in 2019.

All other details about the sequel and its cast remain under wraps. As of now, there’s no official title or release date.