David Fincher’s Sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood Already Sounds Like a Masterpiece

by

It’s rare for a movie to become a classic right away, but that’s exactly what happened with Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. The film was unique, beautifully nostalgic, and a critical and commercial success. So, the internet was shocked when a sequel, The Adventures of Cliff Booth, was announced.

The announcement was particularly surprising – and exciting for many – because it’s the first time since 1996’s From Dusk Til Dawn that Quentin Tarantino isn’t directing a script he wrote himself. Instead, David Fincher, a renowned director known for building suspense, atmosphere, and compelling characters, will take the helm. He’s widely considered the ideal choice to continue this story, as he excels at creating emotionally powerful, large-scale, and visually stunning films. Plus, he often works with the film’s lead actor, Brad Pitt. While it’s still early days, The Adventures of Cliff Booth appears to be more than just a good sequel – it has the potential to be a truly exceptional film.

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is a Masterpiece That Deserves a Sequel

Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood was a massive success, earning praise from both critics and audiences worldwide. With a budget of $90 million, the film made $392 million and stayed at or near the top of the box office for nine weeks. Most of the millions who saw it – from dedicated Tarantino fans to casual moviegoers – absolutely loved it. The film is now considered one of the best and most significant of the 21st century, and it continues to receive high ratings from reviewers online.

As of September 2025, Quentin Tarantino’s historical drama has received positive reviews, earning an 86% “Fresh” rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences generally like it too, giving it a 70% rating, though initially, reaction was more mixed. When the film first came out, some viewers were disappointed by the lack of action, particularly violence, throughout most of the runtime. However, over time, audiences have come to appreciate the film’s deeper qualities – its heartfelt story and subtly unsettling atmosphere. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is steadily gaining recognition as a classic and is likely to be remembered as the crowd-pleaser it always deserved to be.

The praise for Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood went far beyond positive reviews and ticket sales. The 2019 film was a major awards season favorite, racking up nominations in numerous categories, recognizing both leading and supporting roles, as well as technical achievements. It received ten nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, second only to Joker, which had eleven. These included nominations for Best Picture, Best Director (Quentin Tarantino), Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Supporting Actor (Brad Pitt), and Best Cinematography (Robert Richardson). While Tarantino’s film only won two awards, those wins are particularly significant given the planned sequel, The Adventures of Cliff Booth.

Quentin Tarantino likely considered making a sequel to Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood even before the film won two Academy Awards, but those wins probably convinced him to move forward with the idea. The first win, for Best Production Design – awarded to Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh for their stunning recreation of late 1960s Hollywood – was particularly significant. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood was a departure from typical blockbuster movies, opting for a more relaxed and character-driven story. The award demonstrated to Tarantino that detailed and immersive production design can be valuable even in a slower-paced film, and that audiences – even those in the industry – enjoy this type of movie.

Honestly, seeing Brad Pitt finally win that acting Oscar felt like the biggest win of the night, and it totally cemented what I’ve always known: Tarantino just gets it. Pitt took home the award for his role as Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, and while Cliff isn’t the main character, he’s arguably the most interesting one. He’s got this incredible backstory that really resonated with both audiences and the Academy, and Pitt’s performance was just perfect – cool, collected, and captivating. It proved Tarantino’s dedication to character work pays off big time. I seriously doubt Pitt would have won without the depth and care put into crafting Cliff Booth. It’s amazing how Tarantino consistently creates these incredible supporting characters – think Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Uma Thurman – characters that feel like they could carry a whole movie themselves. Honestly, after seeing what he did with Cliff Booth, I’m starting to wonder why Tarantino hasn’t considered a sequel centered around him!

The Adventures of Cliff Booth Has a Lot of Potential

Okay, so I’m completely obsessed with hearing anything about The Adventures of Cliff Booth! Details have been pretty hush-hush, but even the little bits we’ve gotten have everyone online buzzing. Brad Pitt is obviously back as Cliff, and it’s awesome Timothy Olyphant is returning as James Stacy. The cast is insane too – Elizabeth Debicki, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Carla Gugino, and Scott Caan are all joining! Seriously, with Fincher and Tarantino directing, this movie is already shaping up to be legendary. But honestly, I’m dying to know what the story is actually about. And you know what? I think the best place to start is just listening to what Quentin Tarantino has to say himself.

In 2021, Quentin Tarantino released a novel based on his acclaimed 2019 film, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. While the book largely follows the movie’s story, it also includes fascinating new details and changes. Notably, the character of Cliff Booth is much more developed in the novel. Because Tarantino wasn’t limited by the constraints of filmmaking—like studio interference or time limits—he had the freedom to expand on Cliff’s backstory and personality, creating a richer, more detailed character.

This novel reveals the full story behind Cliff Booth, detailing his daring escape from a POW camp and his confirmed kills in both World War II and the Korean War. It also exposes the truth behind three separate murders he committed and clarifies the real story of his wife’s supposed disappearance. The book explains how Cliff acquired his dog, Brandy, and the violent events that forged their strong connection. Furthermore, it demonstrates that Cliff is far more than just a simple stuntman; he’s a complex and artistic individual with hidden depths, dreams, and a captivating personality that defies easy description – a point Brad Pitt’s performance also hinted at.

Rumors suggest a potential sequel to Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, directed by Fincher and Tarantino, taking place eight years later. While the film will likely move the story forward, expect flashbacks to events from Tarantino’s novelization as well. The book only briefly touches on what happened to Cliff Booth after the Manson Family attacks, but fans can anticipate further adventures for the character. The cool, clever, and dangerous stuntman is expected to return in either 2026 or 2027, and many are eager to see what happens next in his wild life.

Read More

2025-11-10 03:07