The Los Angeles air buzzed with anticipation at the TCL Chinese Theatre when Quentin Tarantino took the stage. During a special Q&A session, the director deviated from typical conversation, opting instead for a surprise cinematic treat for the gathered audience. With a flourish, he unveiled the initial fifteen minutes of his sequel project, The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth. This unexpected screening immediately captivated the attendees, marking a major public viewing of the follow-up to his acclaimed film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
The news was that Tarantino provided the very first glimpse of the next chapter starring Brad Pitt. The film, which continues the story of the stuntman and sidekick, is a sequel to the 2019 movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. This was a highly anticipated moment for fans, as the project brought together Tarantino’s writing and David Fincher’s directorial expertise. The initial screening confirmed the film’s existence, providing a tantalising preview of the characters’ next escapades.
Diving into the Hollywood fixers’ world
The sequel serves as a follow-up to the original film, and the plot centres on Cliff Booth, who revises his role in the modern cinematic landscape. The new premise establishes that the need for a ‘hippie-slaying stuntman’ has faded in Los Angeles. Instead, Hollywood continues to generate problems, requiring a fixer with Cliff’s unique, occasionally illicit, skill set.
This new timeline catapults the action forward, setting the story in 1977, a significant jump from the 1969 period shown in the original movie. The film suggests that when Cliff is not earning his living as a bartender or projectionist, he is constantly called upon to resolve complex situations for both the biggest names and the less scrupulous figures of the industry.
The massive creative undertaking
The development of The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth was described by David Fincher as a colossal undertaking. Fincher revealed that he had to significantly trim the original script, stating that the initial draft Tarantino provided was an enormous 230 pages. This immense length meant the story was, in his view, “essentially two movies.”
Following the necessary editorial work, the final version of the film is expected to have a run time of approximately two and a half hours. The project also boasts an impressive ensemble cast, alongside Pitt, featuring talents such as Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, and Carla Gugino. The building buzz around the film has been evident since its announcement in 2024.
What to expect from the next chapter
The release strategy for the film suggests a major theatrical push before hitting the streaming platforms. Initially, the movie will be available for a theatrical screening on November 25th, held in IMAX cinemas. Following this cinematic launch, it is scheduled to become available on the streaming service starting December 23rd.
Beyond the set of Hollywood, Tarantino also used the opportunity to promote his upcoming work in theatre. He spoke about his play, The Popinjay Cavalier, which is scheduled to premiere in London’s West End next spring. This stage play will star Sacha Baron Cohen, marking the director’s first venture into the theatrical world.
Cliff Booth is ready to tackle the problems that Hollywood creates, a cycle of trouble that Hollywood will always have problems, problems that can only be solved by someone with Cliff’s unique abilities.
