Brad Pitt says it’s “one of the most amazing scripts Tarantino has ever written.” This will be great!
Despite the fact that filming hasn’t even started on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino knows how to hype a film better than most.
A few weeks ago, we brought you the news that Brad Pitt will be reuniting with the director of Inglourious Basterds and that Leonardo DiCaprio will also be along for the ride.
Tarantino, who is writing and directing, describes the project as “a story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood” and he has provided a few more details about what’s in store.
The director of Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs showed up at CinemaCon with DiCaprio and both men were happy to chat about their next collaboration – they previously worked together on Django Unchained.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Tarantino said: “It’s very hush-hush and top secret. But I can tell you that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood takes place in 1969, at the height of the counterculture hippie revolution and the height of new Hollywood.” He added that he and his team will transform the city of Los Angeles “block by block” into 1969 Hollywood.
In terms of the style and tone, Tarantino said that “this is probably the closest to Pulp Fiction that I’ve done. It has two lead characters and a ton of supporting characters.”
Mmm, surely there’s a Samuel L. Jackson role in there somewhere?
“This is probably the closest to Pulp Fiction that I’ve done. It has two lead characters and a ton of supporting characters.” – Quentin Tarantino
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 24, 2018
The director also said that Brad Pitt thinks it’s “one of the most amazing” scripts that he’s ever read. Considering Pitt starred in the likes of Se7en, Fight Club and True Romance, that’s some compliment!
As for the characters, DiCaprio will play Rick Dalton, former star of a western TV series, while Pitt will play his longtime stunt double, Cliff Booth.
Tarantino previously shared details about the film’s plot to Variety. “Both men are struggling to make it in a Hollywood they don’t recognise anymore. But Rick has a very famous next-door neighbour…Sharon Tate.”
Of course, Tate and four other people were murdered by members of the Manson Family in the home that she shared with her husband, Roman Polanski. At the time of her death, Tate was eight-and-a-half months pregnant with the couple’s son.
“I’ve been working on this script for five years, as well as living in Los Angeles County most of my life, including in 1969, when I was 7 years old. I’m very excited to tell this story of an L.A., and a Hollywood that doesn’t exist anymore. And I couldn’t be happier about the dynamic teaming of DiCaprio & Pitt as Rick & Cliff,” said Tarantino.
The film will be released worldwide on August 9, 2019 – that’s the same day that marks the 50th anniversary of the Manson family committing the LaBianca murders and the day after Tate was killed.
Margot Robbie hasn’t officially been announced to play Sharon Tate yet, but Deadline has reported that Tarantino met her personally to play the role.
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