Quentin Tarantino has explained his choice not to direct the sequel to his acclaimed film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Known for his plan to retire after his tenth film, Tarantino expressed feeling “unenthused” about revisiting familiar territory.
Debuting in 2019, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood featured Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie set in 1969 Los Angeles, earning over $392 million globally. Although Tarantino wrote the sequel’s script, he will not direct it.
“I love this script, but I’m treading the same path I’ve already traveled. It just didn’t excite me,” Tarantino stated on The Church of Tarantino podcast. “For my last film, I need to venture into the unknown. I need to explore new territory.”
Tarantino commended David Fincher, who will direct the sequel, noting him as one of the top directors today. “I believe David Fincher and I are the best directors. The fact that Fincher wants to adapt my work signifies a serious respect for my work,” he noted.
Brad Pitt will return as Cliff Booth, the stuntman character. Though Tarantino won’t direct, he assured fans of his ongoing involvement in the project.
Tarantino also discussed his shelved project The Movie Critic, which he once described as a “spiritual sequel” to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The film, which would not have included characters like Cliff Booth, challenged Tarantino to make an unlikely subject engaging.
“The challenge was: can I make the most mundane job intriguing? Who would watch a TV show about a movie critic? Who would see a movie titled The Movie Critic? That was the test,” he shared.
