1979’s ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are developing a new ‘Star Trek’ Movie.
They’ve come up with a new idea not connected to previous movies or shows.
They’re also writing the script.
While the TV side of the franchise has been ticking along nicely, big-screen ‘Star Trek’ fell into something of a black hole, with little progress towards theaters.
At least, they’re aboard to develop a new movie (more on that below), with the hopes of kickstarting the franchise back to life. Will they succeed? Others have tried and failed (again, see below), but we’re certainly hoping to see them give it a shot.
What has been happening with big-screen ‘Star Trek’?
(L to R) Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto in ‘Star Trek Beyond’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
The movies have been mired in development limbo since ‘Star Trek Beyond’ opened to less-than-thrilling box office in 2016.
There have been various films announced or reported upon, including a return for Chris Pine’s Kirk and co. from J.J. Abrams’ “Kelvin” timeline movies, a one-off by Quentin Tarantino (which always seemed less likely to happen) and the more recent word of a prequel/origin story to be directed by ‘Andor’s Toby Haynes with a script by Seth Grahame-Smith.
The latter may still happen (with Paramount going on a “try anything” spree), but there was more recent word of ‘X-Men’ veteran Simon Kinberg being hired as the producer overseeing the whole thing. There’s no mention of him in Deadline’s story about Daley and Goldstein’s deal, but perhaps he will be around to help out?
What’s the story for this latest ‘Trek’ development?
Chris Pine in 2009’s ‘Star Trek’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Little is known about what Daley and Goldstein have planned for ‘Star Trek’, though new Paramount overseer David Ellison said on a recent earnings call that it would not be a sequel in the Pine-led series but something different with new actors.
Which is almost a shame, since Pine clearly enjoyed working with the directors on ‘Dungeons & Dragons’…
When will this new ‘Star Trek’ movie head to screens?
If you’ll pardon us, given recent history we won’t hold our breath just yet until this thing actually has a trailer.
(L to R) Directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley and Chris Pine on the set of ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.
He’s made cameos in his past work and had a meatier role in the likes of ‘From Dusk Till Dawn,’ but for a new drama, he’s taken his biggest role in years, as reported by Deadline.
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Tarantino is part of the cast for director Jamie Adams’ new drama, ‘Only What We Carry’, which recently wrapped shooting in Deauville, France.
Simon Pegg plays Benji in ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ from Paramount Pictures and Skydance. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
The movie is described as “a meditation on love, loss, and the quiet courage it takes to move forward”
Pegg plays Julian Johns, a once-formidable instructor whose former student Charlotte Levant (Boutella) returns home to face the ghosts of her past. Joining them are John Percy (Tarantino), Julian’s old friend whose sudden arrival stirs long-buried truths; Josephine Chabrol (Gainsbourg), Charlotte’s protective sister; Vincent (Hellmann), a restless artist caught between love and loyalty, and Jacqueline (McAlpine), a young aspiring dancer whose presence forces everyone to confront the weight of what they’ve left behind.
Here what Adams said about making the movie:
“It’s always been a dream of mine to shoot an Eric Rohmer styled picture in Normandy, a dream that included collaborating with an exceptional international ensemble cast and crew. It turns out that by embracing the freedoms of independent cinema, that dream has come true. I’m forever grateful to the cast and crew of ‘Only What We Carry’ for this moment.”
‘Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair’ will finally hit screens.
Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has worked with Lionsgate on the new version.
The combined movie experience lands in December.
It has taken more than 20 years, but the two ‘Kill Bill’ movies made by writer/director Quentin Tarantino are finally landing in theaters the way the filmmaker intended –– as one big film called ‘Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair’.
While the combined version has been seen on home entertainment formats and the occasional speciality screening, this is its first wide theatrical release, via Lionsgate, which will include a seven-minute animated segment not included in the prior cinema outings of Volume 1 and Volume 2 back in 2003 and 2004.
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This was what Tarantino had to say about the new opportunity:
“I wrote and directed it as one movie—and I’m so glad to give the fans the chance to see it as one movie. The best way to see ‘Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair’ is at a movie theater in Glorious 70mm or 35mm. Blood and guts on a big screen in all its glory!”
Uma Thurman stars as The Bride, left for dead after her former boss and lover, Bill, ambushes her wedding rehearsal, shooting her in the head and stealing her unborn child.
To exact her vengeance, she must first hunt down the four remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad before confronting Bill himself. With its operatic scope, relentless action, and iconic style, ‘The Whole Bloody Affair’ stands as one of cinema’s definitive revenge sagas — rarely shown in its complete form and now presented with a classic intermission.
What else is happening in Tarantino’s movie world?
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
While the filmmaker is still making decisions about his cinematic future –– he scrapped one planned movie, ‘The Movie Critic’ and is considering other options including stage work and novels –– his cinematic universe rolls on.
Quentin Tarantino has been talking about his abandoning ‘The Movie Critic’.
He also discussed why David Fincher is a good choice for his ‘Cliff Booth’ script.
Tarantino says his current focus is theatre.
Though it looked for a while there like ‘The Movie Critic’ –– its details largely wrapped in secrecy even despite leaks that the filmmaker has since debunked –– might be Quentin Tarantino’s final movie.
But despite developing the idea as first a TV series and then a movie, he ultimately decided against it.
“There was a challenge that I gave to myself when I did it. Can I take the most boring profession in the world and make it an interesting movie? Every Tarantino title promises so much, except ‘The Movie Critic’. Who wants to see a TV show about a f***ing movie critic? Who wants to see a movie called ‘The Movie Critic’? If I can actually make a movie or a TV show about somebody who watches movies interesting, that is an accomplishment. I was so excited about the writing, but I wasn’t really that excited about dramatizing what I wrote once we were in pre-production.”
So now we know. But that wasn’t all that was on QT’s mind! He also talked about why he chose not to make the more direct ‘Hollywood’ sequel, which is currently titled ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’. More on that one below…
What did Tarantino have to say about David Fincher directing the Cliff Booth movie?
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
While we’ve gotten over our surprise that anyone save Tarantino would make the follow up to his most recent movie –– or that there would be a sequel to one at all –– ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’ has been shooting for a while, with David Fincher overseeing old pal Brad Pitt as Booth.
Tarantino was asked about why he handed it over to Fincher:
“I love this script, but I’m still walking down the same ground I’ve already walked. It just kind of unenthused me. This last movie, I’ve got to not know what I’m doing again. I’ve got to be in uncharted territory. I think me and David Fincher are the two best directors. So the idea that David Fincher actually wants to adapt my work, to me, shows a level of seriousness towards my work that I think needs to be taken into account.”
At least his ego remains unchanged…
‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth,’ in case you’d missed some of the recent news stories, will be released via Netflix.
What is Tarantino working on now?
While he hasn’t revealed details, Tarantino has said he’s more focused on writing a play than anything to do with movies right now, and explained why in true QT style:
“They pay a lot of f***ing money to get into that seat. There’s no f***ing taping it, there’s no cell phone, you own the audience for that time. They are all yours, they are in the palm of your hand. It’s not just about doing art, it’s about wowing them, it’s about giving them a great night out. This to me is f***ing existing. It’s the last frontier.”
Quentin Tarantino accepts the Oscar® for original screenplay for “Django Unchained” during the live ABC Telecast of The Oscars® from the Dolby® Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 24, 2013.
Jerry Bruckheimer says he’s developing a sequel to 1995 submarine thriller ‘Crimson Tide’.
Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman starred in the original.
A writer and director are involved in the new potential project.
Having seen big success wrangling a sequel to one of his previous hits via ‘Top Gun Maverick,’ producer Jerry Bruckheimer is looking to do it again.
Talking on a recent episode of ‘The Rich Eisen Show,’ Bruckheimer revealed that he was in the early stages of developing a follow-up to 1995 submarine thriller ‘Crimson Tide.’
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While the new project is still very much in its infancy, Bruckheimer did say that a writer and director –– who he did not name –– were already having discussions with the Navy as to the current state of undersea warfare, as a new scenario will be needed for this movie.
In the near future, Russian rebels have seized control of one of the ICBM bases in the USSR. Alarmed by the prospect of a rebel strike, the U.S. sends the USS Alabama, a nuclear ballistic missile submarine, to watch over the base and retaliate in case they launch.
While on patrol, the submarine is attacked and the radio systems are knocked out, but after first receiving an emergency message from HQ to launch nuclear missiles at the rebels. A second emergency message received during the battle is only partially recovered.
Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman) decides to carry out the first order to launch the missiles regardless while Executive Officer Hunter (Denzel Washington) wants to wait for a successful receipt of the second message once the radio systems are repaired. The conflict escalates into mutiny as Ramsey and Hunter fight for control of the Alabama’s nuclear missiles.
But it was perhaps more famous for the people behind the keyboard for the script; while Michael Schiffer’s name is on the screenplay, with Richard P. Henrick credited for the story, there was an extensive list of writers who did passes, including Robert Towne and Quentin Tarantino.
According to Bruckheimer, the hope is to entice Washington to return (Hackman retired years ago and died in February of this year).
Here’s what he said about the possibility:
“If we give him a good script, I think he’d do it.”
Variety reached out to a source close to Washington, who brought word that the actor would consider the idea, but is certainly waiting to see any screenplay.
As to who is at work on the concepts for the new movie, Bruckheimer declined to name them.
There are no details, plot or otherwise, about this sequel, so we can only speculate what it might focus on. The technology behind nuclear submarines has moved on considerably from the days of the original, and yet the basics remain.
A nuclear submarine was a key plot point in the last two ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies, and the concept of technology aboard such a vessel could well play into the new one.
And it’s worth noting that Disney, which has the rights to ‘Crimson Tide’, has yet to comment on the possibility of any sequel –– but given Bruckheimer’s long working relationship with the studio, he certainly has leeway to say what he likes about future projects.
Here’s what Bruckheimer told Eisen about a potential return for Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell:
“I can’t talk about [the story] yet, but it’s a real good one.”
What else is Denzel Washington working on?
Denzel Washington attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
Though he has been making statements about retiring, at least from acting, he’s still keeping busy.
This is what he said about potentially stepping back from being on screen:
“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker. The things that are going on for me professionally behind the camera are as important to me now as in front of the camera. I think there’s less and less time I’ll be spending in front of the camera.”
He’s preparing to work on crime drama ‘Here Comes the Flood,’ and he’s talked up a potential role in the planned third ‘Black Panther’ movie, which director Ryan Coogler has confirmed could happen, and he has other possible roles coming up, including a project about the historical warrior Hannibal.
And even if he does decide that his days as an actor are numbered, he’ll likely to continue to produce and direct movies.
When might the ‘Crimson Tide’ sequel be on screens?
With the script not even written yet and no other details offered, we don’t expect this one to come together for a while yet.
If Denzel Washington does sign on to star, that’ll have this one moving a little faster and encourage the studio financiers to turn their keys and release the funds for this one to be made.
Michael Madsen in ‘The Killing Jar’. Photo: New Films International.
Preview:
Michael Madsen has died at the age of 67.
He was known for appearing in cult movies, often as a tough guy.
Madsen became one of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s go-to actors.
Michael Madsen, who became a cult icon for his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s early movies, died on July 2nd, according to a statement from his family.
Known for his intense screen presence, rugged charm, and signature slow-burn delivery, Madsen built a career out of playing men who were dangerous, broken, and sometimes heartbreakingly human.
In Tarantino’s 1992 debut ‘Reservoir Dogs’, Madsen gave one of his most infamous performances as Mr. Blonde, the sadistic ex-con whose brutal dance scene — set to “Stuck in the Middle with You” — became one of the most talked-about moments in indie film history.
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But behind the onscreen menace, those close to him saw a sensitive soul. As his family wrote in his obituary:
“He walked the line between myth and man, never pretending to be anything other than who he was. He will be remembered for his passion, his poetry, and his deep love for his family. The world is a little less dangerous — and a little less beautiful — without him.”
(L to R) Michael Madsen and Alec Baldwin in ‘The Getaway’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Born on September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, Michael Søren Madsen grew up in a creative household. His mother, Elaine, was a poet and filmmaker, and his sister, Virginia Madsen, would go on to become an Oscar-nominated actor herself.
After high school, Madsen initially worked as a mechanic and served time in a juvenile detention facility; real-life experiences that would inform the grit and authenticity he brought to so many of his roles.
He eventually turned to acting, studying at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago under John Malkovich. That foundation helped shape an actor capable of conveying equal parts threat and tenderness.
Michael Madsen: Movie roles
Cast of ‘Reservoir Dogs’. Photo: Miramax Films.
Madsen’s early film career began in the 1980s with roles in movies such as ‘WarGames’ and ‘The Natural,’ but his breakthrough came in the early 1990s.
The ‘Reservoir Dogs’ role of Mr. Blonde (which he famously won over fellow actor James Woods) launched him into a new echelon of character actors and cemented his association with Tarantino, who would later cast him as the grizzled assassin Budd in ‘Kill Bill’.
Over the years, Madsen amassed a diverse filmography of more than 200 credits. His work spanned genres and budgets — from big studio projects such as ‘Donnie Brasco,’ ‘Thelma & Louise,’ and ‘Sin City,’ to gritty B-movie thrillers and straight-to-video crime dramas.
He played gangsters, hitmen, cowboys, cops, and outlaws with equal conviction.
Michael Madsen in ‘The Killing Jar’. Photo: New Films International.
Beyond acting, Madsen was also a published poet, authoring several collections of verse. His writing often reflected on love, fatherhood, addiction, and redemption.
Though his personal life included struggles – most notably with substance abuse and the loss of his son Hudson – Madsen remained a prolific artist and fiercely loyal friend.
In his later years, he appeared in indie films and lent his voice to video games like ‘Grand Theft Auto III.’ He was also a frequent presence at film festivals, where he was celebrated for his contributions to American cinema.
He is survived by his wife DeAnna and four children.
Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern star in ‘The Hateful Eight’.
Carla Gugino is the latest to join the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up.
‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’ will star Brad Pitt.
David Fincher is the director.
As David Fincher continues the preparation work to shoot the follow-up to Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood’ (yes, take a moment to keep convincing yourself that this surprising project exists), he’s added another cast member to the ensemble.
The movie, which we now know is called ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’ will find Brad Pitt reprising his role as the stuntman character from Tarantino’s 2019 film, and will also boast Carla Gugino in its cast.
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Deadline brings word of Gugino’s casting, but there are zero details about who she’ll be playing. We’re honestly just happy to see her added to the movie.
What do we know about the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up?
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
We know that this riff on ‘Once’s Booth character –– the movie isn’t strictly a sequel, more a spin-off ––is something that Tarantino was noodling with and could potentially have been born from his scrapped script ‘The Movie Critic,’ which supposedly included Pitt.
Now QT has turned it into a new script, and with both Fincher and Pitt aboard, Netflix has put together the deal, which will probably end up being around a $200 million budget (the streamer reportedly paid a cool $20 million for the script) to shoot in California this July. We’re talking real fast track here.
But what of Sony, which released ‘Once?’ A couple of things… it has a deal to send much of its output to Netflix and ‘Once’ was a special case anyway; Tarantino’s deal for the original included him hanging on to certain rights. Presumably, he could take Cliff where he wanted.
Handing it to Fincher is no bad compromise if we’re not to get another slice of that character from his creator alone.
There’s more! Reporter Jeff Sneider is adding to the story, bringing word that Leonardo DiCaprio has been trying to hash out a deal to also appear in the movie. It’s not yet closed and he may not even end up in the movie, but surely the appeal of A) another Tarantino script, B) working with Fincher and reuniting with Pitt is strong.
What was the story of ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’?
(L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt star in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’
Tarantino’s original movie is set during the summer of 1969, as Hollywood’s Golden Age is winding down.
Television actor Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his stunt double Booth endeavor to achieve lasting success in Hollywood while meeting several colorful characters along the way.
Not the least is Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who in this alternate version of history ends up saved from death by the members of the Manson family.
When will ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’ be in theaters?
Fincher is looking to shoot this one later in the year, so it seems this will likely arrive next year.
But will it be on a big or small screen? While Fincher and Pitt are certainly big names, the director didn’t warrant a theatrical release for his previous movie, ‘The Killer,’ despite his established professional relationship with the streaming service.
Still… a follow-up to a Tarantino movie? Starring Brad Pitt and potentially Leonardo DiCaprio? Surely a candidate for at least a limited theatrical push.
(Left) Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in 2021’s ‘Candyman.’ Photo: Universal Pictures. (Right) Brad Pitt in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
Preview:
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is the latest cast member for the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up.
‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’ will star Brad Pitt.
While Tarantino wrote and directed the 2019 original, this will be a collaboration between Brad Pitt –– who played stuntman Cliff Booth –– and director David Fincher.
The other latest development on the movie is that it’ll be titled ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’, which makes sense, since Pitt’s character will be at the core of the new movie.
What do we know about the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up?
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
We know that this riff on ‘Once’s Booth character –– the movie isn’t strictly a sequel, more a spin-off ––is something that Tarantino was noodling with and could potentially have been born from his scrapped script ‘The Movie Critic,’ which supposedly included Pitt.
Now QT has turned it into a new script, and with both Fincher and Pitt aboard, Netflix has put together the deal, which will probably end up being around a $200 million budget (the streamer reportedly paid a cool $20 million for the script) to shoot in California this July. We’re talking real fast track here.
But what of Sony, which released ‘Once?’ A couple of things… it has a deal to send much of its output to Netflix and ‘Once’ was a special case anyway; Tarantino’s deal for the original included him hanging on to certain rights. Presumably, he could take Cliff where he wanted.
Handing it to Fincher is no bad compromise if we’re not to get another slice of that character from his creator alone.
There’s more! Reporter Jeff Sneider is adding to the story, bringing word that Leonardo DiCaprio is in the middle of hashing out a deal to also appear in the movie. It’s not yet closed and he may not even end up in the movie, but surely the appeal of A) another Tarantino script, B) working with Fincher and reuniting with Pitt is strong.
Deadline’s report mentions that Mateen, while not confirmed, is playing a character in the vein of Jim Brown, who famously ended his Hall of Fame football career early to focus on acting starring in such hits as ‘The Dirty Dozen.’
What was the story of ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’?
(L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt star in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’
Tarantino’s original movie is set during the summer of 1969, as Hollywood’s Golden Age is winding down.
Television actor Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his stunt double Booth endeavor to achieve lasting success in Hollywood while meeting several colorful characters along the way.
Not the least is Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who in this alternate version of history ends up saved from death by the members of the Manson family.
As for the follow-up, it certainly shoves everything else on Fincher’s To Do list down a notch or two. Apologies to ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’, you just got pushed deeper down.
We could potentially see this on screens as early as next year –– an exciting prospect for sure.
But will it be on a big or small screen? While Fincher and Pitt are certainly big names, the director didn’t warrant a theatrical release for his previous movie, ‘The Killer,’ despite his established professional relationship with the streaming service.
Still… a follow-up to a Tarantino movie? Starring Brad Pitt and potentially Leonardo DiCaprio? Surely a candidate for at least a limited theatrical push.
(Left) Scott Caan as Jackie Powers in the action/thriller, ‘One Day as a Lion,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate. (Right) Mia Goth and Elizabeth Debicki in ‘Maxxxine’. Photo: Starmaker Studios LLC.
Preview:
Scott Caan and Elizabeth Debicki have joined the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up.
Brad Pitt’s confirmed to return.
David Fincher is directing.
We’re still trying to pick our jaws up off the floor at the news back in April that not only was a new movie following Brad Pitt’s stuntman character Cliff Booth from Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ in the works, but A) David Fincher was directing it (with QT’s approval and at the behest of old friend Pitt) and B) Tarantino had written the script for it.
No confirmed details have emerged about who they might play, though a source for the Reporter does mention that the story called for two key female roles, one who runs a bar and mud wrestling establishment and one a trophy wife. It is unknown yet if Debicki will play one of those or another role altogether.
And as for Caan? We know nothing at this point. Security at this point is right around the level of your average ‘Star Wars’ movie.
What do we know about the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up?
Brad Pitt in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
We know that this riff on ‘Once’s Booth character –– the movie isn’t strictly a sequel, more of a Booth spin-off ––is something that Tarantino was noodling with and could potentially have been born from his scrapped script ‘The Movie Critic,’ which supposedly included Pitt.
Now QT has turned it into a new script, and with both Fincher and Pitt aboard, Netflix has put together the deal, which will probably end up being around a $200 million budget (the streamer reportedly paid a cool $20 million for the script) to shoot in California this July. We’re talking real fast track here.
But what of Sony, which released ‘Once?’ A couple of things… it has a deal to send much of its output to Netflix and ‘Once’ was a special case anyway; Tarantino’s deal for the original included him hanging on to certain rights. Presumably, he could take Cliff where he wanted.
Handing it to Fincher is no bad compromise if we’re not to get another slice of that character from his creator alone.
There’s more! Reporter Jeff Sneider is adding to the story, bringing word that Leonardo DiCaprio is in the middle of hashing out a deal to also appear in the movie. It’s not yet closed and he may not even end up in the movie, but surely the appeal of A) another Tarantino script, B) working with Fincher and reuniting with Pitt is strong.
What was the story of ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’?
(L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt star in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’
Tarantino’s original movie is set during the summer of 1969, as Hollywood’s Golden Age is winding down.
Television actor Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his stunt double Booth endeavor to achieve lasting success in Hollywood while meeting several colorful characters along the way.
Not the least is Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who in this alternate version of history ends up saved from death by the members of the Manson family.
As for the follow-up, it certainly shoves everything else on Fincher’s To Do list down a notch or two. Apologies to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, you just got pushed deeper down.
Where else have we seen Scott Caan?
Scott Caan as Jackie Powers in the action/thriller, ‘One Day as a Lion,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
Caan, son of the late, great James Caan, has forged his own path in the acting world.
The ‘Once’ casting would mark a reunion for Pitt and the actor since Caan appeared in all three of the Steven Soderbergh-directed ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ trilogy of movies.
Yet Caan has been spending much of the last decade or so starring in TV, heading up the long-running present-day take on ‘Hawaii Five-O’ and another procedural, ‘Alert: Missing Persons Unit.’
What has Elizabeth Debicki worked on?
Elizabeth Debicki in ‘The Crown’ season 6. Copyright: Netflix / LeftBank.
The Australian actor might be best known for portraying Princess Diana on Netflix series ‘The Crown,’ but she also appeared in spy thriller series ‘The Night Manager.’
When will the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up be out?
Since The Playlist’s story indicates a fast track, we could potentially see this on screens as early as next year –– an exciting prospect for sure.
But will it be on a big or small screen? While Fincher and Pitt are certainly big names, the director didn’t warrant a theatrical release for his previous movie, ‘The Killer,’ despite his established professional relationship with the streaming service.
Still… a follow-up to a Tarantino movie? Starring Brad Pitt and potentially Leonardo DiCaprio? Surely a candidate for at least a limited theatrical push.
(Left) Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures. (Right) David Fincher on the set of ‘Mank’. Photo: Gisele Schmidt/Netflix.
Preview:
David Fincher is directing a ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up.
Brad Pitt’s confirmed to return.
The movie has yet to gain a title.
File this one under “We Really, Really Didn’t see it Coming” and also, “We Had To Check Because It Was April 1st,” but yes… it’s real.
Yet the director won’t be behind the camera for this one; instead it’ll be handled by someone with no small experience directing Pitt: David Fincher.
You read it right… Once of the most talented filmmakers is following up the work of another.
And that’s not all!
What do we know about the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up?
Brad Pitt in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
The Playlist’s report mentions that this riff on ‘Once’s Booth character –– the movie isn’t strictly a sequel, more of a Booth spin-off ––is something that Tarantino was noodling with and could potentially have been born from his scrapped script ‘The Movie Critic,’ which supposedly included Pitt.
Now QT has turned it into a new script, and with both Fincher and Pitt aboard, Netflix has put together the deal, which will probably end up being around a $200 million budget (the streamer reportedly paid a cool $20 million for the script) to shoot in California this July. We’re talking real fast track here.
But what of Sony, which released ‘Once?’ A couple of things… it has a deal to send much of its output to Netflix and ‘Once’ was a special case anyway; Tarantino’s deal for the original included him hanging on to certain rights. Presumably, he could take Cliff where he wanted.
Handing it to Fincher is no bad compromise if we’re not to get another slice of that character from his creator alone.
There’s more! Reporter Jeff Sneider is adding to the story, bringing word that Leonardo DiCaprio is in the middle of hashing out a deal to also appear in the movie. It’s not yet closed and he may not even end up in the movie, but surely the appeal of A) another Tarantino script, B) working with Fincher and reuniting with Pitt is strong.
What was the story of ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’?
(L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt star in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’
Tarantino’s original movie is set during the summer of 1969, as Hollywood’s Golden Age is winding down.
Television actor Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his stunt double Booth endeavor to achieve lasting success in Hollywood while meeting several colorful characters along the way.
Not the least is Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who in this alternate version of history ends up saved from death by the members of the Manson family.
As for the follow-up, it certainly shoves everything else on Fincher’s To Do list down a notch or two. Which brings us to…
What is David Fincher currently working on?
David Fincher on the set of ‘Mank’. Photo: Gisele Schmidt/Netflix.
With various projects as ever on the go waiting for corporate overlords to give the greenlight, Fincher seems closer on a couple of potential next gigs than others on his list.
First off, there is the Western script ‘Bitterroot,’ written by Michael Gilio, which concerns an elderly rancher whose life savings have been stolen.
He sets out to get his money back by robbing banks and hunting down the thieves — all while being pursued by his son… who is the sheriff.
Comparisons have been made to Clint Eastwood classic ‘Unforgiven,’ so even with the riskier marketplace, this is a script that will surely be produced at some point. And it’s perhaps not surprising that given its long lifespan in the Hollywood marketplace, there has been at least one previous attempt to bring it to screens. Blind Wink Productions and Aversano Films were working on it with Gilio on board to both write and direct and Gore Verbinski to produce back in 2011.
Netflix owns the rights to the script, and Fincher has a long relationship with the company, but it has yet to confirm anything concrete about it.
(L to R) David Fincher and Gary Oldman on the set of ‘Mank’. Photo: Miles Crist/Netflix.
And the hurdles faced by Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ are likely giving pause. Still, the streaming service has violent frontier limited series ‘American Primeval’ coming out on January 9th, so perhaps it will see how that does before making a decision.
Yet the Western faces some serious competition on Fincher’s To Do list, as the filmmaker has also been developing an American version of giant Netflix hit ‘Squid Game.’
The Korean drama series about the twisted and frequently lethal competition recently released its second season and is racking up huge viewership once more.
Much like ‘Bitterroot,’ we’re still waiting for anything approaching official comment from Netflix about a potential Fincher version, but it certainly feels like a solid match for filmmaker and topic.
A dark, satirical series where morality is questioned, and death lurks around every corner? Surely something he can do well.
Still, we’ll have to wait and see whether it actually surfaces.
When will the ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ follow-up be out?
Since The Playlist’s story indicates a fast track, we could potentially see this on screens as early as next year –– an exciting prospect for sure.
But will it be on a big or small screen? While Fincher and Pitt are certainly big names, the director didn’t warrant a theatrical release for his previous movie, ‘The Killer,’ despite his established professional relationship with the streaming service.
Still… a follow-up to a Tarantino movie? Starring Brad Pitt and potentially Leonardo DiCaprio? Surely a candidate for at least a limited theatrical push.
