In what may be one of the most unexpected collaborations in recent Hollywood history, David Fincher is reportedly set to direct a sequel or derivative of Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood—with Brad Pitt returning as his Oscar-winning character, stuntman Cliff Booth.
This upcoming film, which will premiere on Netflix, is described as a “derivative” rather than a direct sequel, evolving from Tarantino’s shelved final film idea, The Movie Critic. Despite Tarantino’s well-known resistance to streaming platforms, particularly Netflix, the legendary filmmaker is rumored to have sold the script for $20 million, with production aiming to begin as early as summer 2025.
A Bold Collaboration: Fincher x Tarantino
What makes this project particularly striking is its creative pedigree. It’s rare—nearly unheard of—for a filmmaker of David Fincher’s caliber to direct a continuation of another auteur’s work, especially when that auteur is Quentin Tarantino. The last time Tarantino penned a script without directing it was in 1996’s From Dusk Til Dawn.
Multiple sources, including The Playlist, have confirmed the project, despite initial skepticism that it could be an elaborate April Fools’ prank. Fincher, who has an ongoing deal with Netflix until 2027, reportedly has a massive $200 million budget for the film, with Tarantino’s screenplay serving as the core material.
Cliff Booth’s Story Continues
Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood (2019) followed fading TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth as they navigate the cultural and cinematic shifts of 1969 Los Angeles. The film reimagined history, featuring an alternate take on the infamous Manson Family murders. Pitt’s performance as Booth earned him his first acting Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
This new film will reportedly focus on Booth’s life after the events of the original. It may incorporate elements from Tarantino’s 2021 novelization of the film, which expanded on Booth’s mysterious backstory, military service, and off-screen persona.
It’s also believed that this derivative project is a reimagining of Tarantino’s abandoned film The Movie Critic—a character-driven script centered around a real-life film journalist in 1977 Southern California. Tarantino once described the critic as “cynical as hell… a cross between early Howard Stern and what Travis Bickle might be if he were a film critic.”
Pitt and Fincher Reunite
The film marks the fourth collaboration between Brad Pitt and David Fincher, following their work together on Se7en (1995), Fight Club (1999), and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). Their creative synergy and Pitt’s deep attachment to the Cliff Booth character made him a natural fit for the retooled script.
According to sources, Pitt was so taken by Tarantino’s script for The Movie Critic that he remained attached even after the director himself moved on. Now, under Fincher’s direction and Netflix’s backing, the project finds new life.
Leo Cameo & Streaming Surprises
Leonardo DiCaprio is rumored to appear in a small cameo, reprising his role as Rick Dalton. While DiCaprio is generally selective about streaming projects, his participation, even minimally, would anchor the sequel to its predecessor.
Fincher has previously helmed two major projects for Netflix—Mank (2020) and The Killer (2023)—and currently has several other projects underway, including Squid Game: America and a prequel series to Chinatown.
Unusual, Risky, But Intriguing
Although the idea of a sequel directed by someone other than the original auteur may raise eyebrows, the combination of Fincher’s meticulous craft, Tarantino’s wild narrative flair, and Brad Pitt’s screen presence could result in something entirely unique—a hybrid of legacy cinema and new storytelling.
The key question remains: Will this Netflix-bound sequel do justice to Tarantino’s original vision while pushing the story—and the character of Cliff Booth—into bold new territory?
Final Thoughts
For fans of Hollywood history, revisionist cinema, or simply Brad Pitt’s magnetic take on stuntman Cliff Booth, this Netflix sequel is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing projects on the horizon. As production ramps up, all eyes will be on Fincher to see if lightning can strike twice in Tarantino’s cinematic universe.
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