Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
David Fincher to Helm Brad Pitt Netflix Film, Stepping in for Quentin Tarantino Project
In a surprising turn of events in Hollywood, acclaimed director David Fincher is reportedly set to direct a new film starring Brad Pitt for Netflix. This project emerges following the near-realization of Quentin Tarantino‘s planned tenth and supposedly final movie, The Movie Critic. Speculation suggests this forthcoming Netflix film might be a spin-off sequel centered on Cliff Booth, Pitt’s celebrated stuntman character from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Tarantino’s Tenth Film Takes an Unexpected Route
Quentin Tarantino had long maintained his intention to cap his directorial career at ten films. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood served as his ninth directorial effort, and The Movie Critic was anticipated to be his concluding picture. Reports indicated the film would be set in 1970s Los Angeles, focusing on a film critic for an adult magazine, with Brad Pitt potentially reprising his role as stunt performer Cliff Booth. Initial plans suggested production was imminent.
However, Tarantino apparently reconsidered his direction and shifted his focus to literary and theatrical pursuits. Now, the latest news from Hollywood indicates that David Fincher will take the directorial reins on a script with Brad Pitt attached, producing a Netflix spin-off sequel.
Fincher and Pitt Reunite at Netflix
Fincher, renowned for directing Pitt in iconic films such as Fight Club, Se7en, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, has recently produced movies like Mank and The Killer with Netflix. Despite some traditional Hollywood reservations about streaming platforms, Netflix is recognized for providing filmmakers with substantial budgets often unavailable from traditional studios, and sometimes even offering final cut privileges – as exemplified by Martin Scorsese’s lengthy film, The Irishman.
A Tarantino Script, a Different Director, a Netflix Platform
While it seemed unlikely Tarantino would entrust his final film to Netflix, his apparent faith in Fincher is evident. Fincher previously directed early episodes of House of Cards, Netflix‘s inaugural original television series. Notably, this is not unprecedented territory for Tarantino, as his script for True Romance was directed by Tony Scott in 1993, which coincidentally also featured an early appearance by Brad Pitt.
Cliff Booth’s Story Continues?
According to reports in The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming project is distinct from The Movie Critic, instead presenting a separate narrative centered around the character of Cliff Booth. Pitt garnered an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the stuntman in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and fans were further enriched with Booth’s backstory through Tarantino’s novelization of the 2019 film. While less certain, speculation arises as to whether Leonardo DiCaprio might also reappear as Rick Dalton in this spin-off, perhaps even in a cameo appearance.