The sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, titled The Adventures of Cliff Booth, marks a significant shift as Quentin Tarantino steps back from directing duties, handing the reins to David Fincher. This change stems from Tarantino’s desire to explore new creative territory rather than retread familiar ground.
In a recent discussion on The Church of Tarantino podcast, Tarantino acknowledged his love for the script but emphasized that directing a sequel felt like “walking down the same ground I’ve already walked,” which led to his decision to pass the project to Fincher. He remarked, “This last movie, I’ve got to not know what I’m doing again. I’ve got to be in uncharted territory.” Tarantino expressed high regard for Fincher, calling him one of “the two best directors,” and viewed Fincher’s enthusiasm for adapting his work as an honor that elevated the project. David Fincher’s involvement is seen as a strategic and creative partnership that is poised to bring a fresh and distinctive vision to the sequel.
The Adventures of Cliff Booth is set in 1977, eight years after the original film’s events, continuing the story of Brad Pitt’s character, Cliff Booth. The film features an ensemble cast including Timothy Olyphant reprising his role as James Stacy and a supporting cast with Scott Caan, Elizabeth Debicki, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II among others. Filming began in California in July 2025, with a substantial budget reported at $200 million, making it Tarantino’s most expensive production to date.
The project originally began under Tarantino’s direction with plans to include actors like David Krumholtz and Olivia Wilde, but after his decision to step down as director, Netflix acquired the script and Fincher was brought on board to helm the production. The title was first announced as The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth, later shortened to The Adventures of Cliff Booth. Production is scheduled to run until early 2026, reflecting an ambitious and extensive shooting schedule.
This collaboration between Tarantino as writer and Fincher as director represents a notable convergence of two prominent filmmaking talents, with Tarantino entrusting his vision to Fincher’s acclaimed directorial skills. Industry insiders highlight this as a calculated move to bring a new dimension to the sequel while maintaining the original’s tone and spirit, poised to engage audiences familiar with the 2019 original and attract new viewers alike.