Movies

David Fincher to Direct Quentin Tarantino’s Cliff Booth Script

BBG News

It seems almost too good to be true, reminiscent of an April Fool’s prank. However, all trades in Hollywood seem to confirm that this news is authentic.

Initially reported in The Playlist, Quentin Tarantino’s nearly realized tenth (and potentially last) directorial project, titled “The Movie Critic“, has been obtained by David Fincher. Now, it appears that Fincher intends to direct the script penned by Tarantino.

Based on Deadline’s report, it was Brad Pitt who secured Quentin Tarantino’s approval to review his scripts for movies like “Se7en,” “Fight Club,” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” In Tarantino’s upcoming film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Brad Pitt’s character, Cliff Booth the stuntman, is said to play a significant role. Interestingly, Pitt had earlier agreed to reprise his role for the movie when Tarantino was initially set to direct it, but the project was shelved in the spring of last year.

Initially, it’s said that the events began when Tarantino penned a script titled “The Movie Critic,” featuring Brad Pitt reprising his role as Cliff Booth in a supporting part. This would have made “The Movie Critic” a follow-up of sorts to Tarantino’s 2019 film, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” In that movie, Pitt portrayed Booth alongside Leonardo DiCaprio as the declining TV star Rick Dalton. Later on, rumors surfaced that after Pitt agreed to rejoin for “The Movie Critic,” Tarantino’s ideas evolved into something similar to his novelization of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,”, which contained significantly more of Booth’s backstory than was depicted in the movie itself.

The Playlist suggests that the version Fincher might direct seems reminiscent of a Cliff Booth film, though specific plot points remain unclear. It’s uncertain if the movie-critic angle has been entirely abandoned in the project. Deadline hints that the title possibly reflects Booth’s deep-rooted love for movies, leaving room for speculation about whether the critic role was significant from the start.

It appears that several sources confirm Fincher’s intention to direct Pitt as Booth in a Tarantino script, with Netflix backing and distributing the film. The Playlist goes so far as to suggest the potential for summer filming in California. I can only hope that this isn’t an April Fool’s Day prank.

Every Tarantino Movie Ranked From Worst to Best

10. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)

Quentin Tarantino skillfully crafts tension through extended dialogues and scenes, gradually escalating it until it feels like it might burst from the screen. This method can be exhilarating and relieving when executed well. However, there are instances where it falls short, such as in ‘Kill Bill: Vol 2’. Despite Uma Thurman’s stellar performance as The Bride, keeping her adversary off-screen for the entire first movie proved to be a shrewd move by Tarantino. When David Carradine steps into the role of verbose Bill in ‘Vol. 2’, the anticipation built up from the previous installment seems to vanish, leaving him unable to meet the high expectations set. The film itself, while featuring some standout moments like the intense hand-to-hand sword fight between Thurman and Daryl Hannah, doesn’t quite live up to its potential overall.

9. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it this way: “Inglourious Basterds” concludes with an explosive, gory finale that seems to be Quentin Tarantino’s most ingenious tribute to cinema’s influence. Here, filmmaking and warfare merge into one, set against the backdrop of World War II Germany. However, while all Tarantino films exude extravagance, “Inglourious Basterds” pushes that boundary slightly too far. It consists of five chapters, and at times it feels like five separate movies. The stories, such as Shosanna’s (Melanie Laurent) heart-wrenching pursuit of justice, contrast uncomfortably with the more sensational and caricatured scenes involving the Jewish-American soldiers in the title, who delight in executing Nazis with baseball bats to their brains. Eventually, Tarantino’s indulgences begin to feel more self-indulgent than designed for audience enjoyment.

8. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

In my opinion, an ideal adaptation of “Kill Bill” would be a single 150-minute film that merges both volumes. However, it’s worth noting that many of the most impressive elements from the two films are found in “Vol. 1”. One such example is the prolonged, visually striking chaos of the House of Blue Leaves sequence. Tarantino’s affinity for extended shots and complex camerawork significantly enhances action scenes like this one, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the meticulously planned fight choreography orchestrated by the series’ martial-arts consultant, Yuen Woo-ping.

7. Django Unchained (2012)

In simpler terms, Quentin Tarantino’s first authentic Western film, titled “Django Unchained”, weaves elements of blaxploitation, horror, and superhero tropes. It follows Jamie Foxx’s character, a pulp avenger, fighting injustices during the pre-Civil War era. However, like many of Tarantino’s later works, it tends to overstay its welcome, with a 15-minute interlude featuring Tarantino himself portraying an unlikely Australian miner, which some might find unnecessary. Nevertheless, when it’s good, it truly shines, boasting some of the finest performances in all of Tarantino’s films. A standout performance for me is Christoph Waltz, who delivers a more compelling portrayal as Foxx’s mentor in bounty hunting, Dr. King Schultz, than he did in “Inglourious Basterds.

6. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

In Tarantino’s first movie, the initial scene features a lively chat revolving around Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.” This lighthearted exchange about pop culture trivia establishes the mood for much of Quentin Tarantino’s (QT) future work. One might wonder why they chose this particular song among many options, but it seems that “Like a Virgin” was significant because Tarantino, as a debuting director, was essentially a ‘directorial virgin.’ By using this song, he was subtly communicating his approach to filmmaking to the audience. In fact, the character Mr. Brown delivers this message directly in the movie. Twenty-five years later, this opening scene remains an impressive introduction to one of Tarantino’s key principles: professionalism.

5. The Hateful Eight (2015)

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that this gritty Western, where a band of cowboys and ne’er-do-wells find themselves penned in a general store amidst a blizzard, strikes me as a brilliant fusion of the most captivating elements from “Reservoir Dogs” and “Django Unchained”. The idea that the fine line between lawkeepers and outlaws in this frozen wasteland isn’t particularly novel, but Tarantino’s innovative approach to weaving simmering racial tensions into a central plot point feels more relevant with each passing day. For your viewing pleasure, I recommend bypassing the extended version on Netflix and instead opt for the theatrical cut, which is also available for streaming.

4. Death Proof (2007)

As a passionate cinephile, I respectfully challenge Tarantino’s assertion that “Death Proof” is his least impressive work. To me, it stands as a heartfelt ode to an era of filmmaking that has largely faded into memory – the golden age of celluloid and film projection. Released as part of the “Grindhouse” double feature with Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror,” this film serves as Quentin Tarantino’s most direct and ardent homage to the gritty, raw style of cinema that defined the genre films of yesteryears.

In “Death Proof,” Tarantino pays tribute to the grandeur of practical effects, elevating a seasoned stuntman (Kurt Russell) to the status of an immortal slasher villain reminiscent of Michael Myers. The only one who can match his prowess is another stunt person – Zoe Bell, who famously doubled for Uma Thurman in “Kill Bill.” Playing herself, she embodies the spirit of resilience and skill that defines the world of practical stunts.

The title “Death Proof” holds a double meaning: it refers to Russell’s indestructible car, a symbol of his invincibility behind the wheel. But it also serves as a nod to the era of analog stunts and effects, a time that may have passed but whose spirit lives on in films like this one. The movies themselves, much like the stuntwork they feature, will never truly die.

3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

As a devoted admirer, I’d say that, despite its dark premise involving notorious murders, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” might just be Quentin Tarantino’s most charming production in years, if not ever. Leo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt deliver stellar performances as a duo navigating 1960s LA – with DiCaprio portraying a struggling TV star yearning for a comeback, and Pitt playing his laid-back stuntman and driver. This film is a poignant exploration of the twilight of the ’60s, the demise of cinema, and perhaps even the waning days of Tarantino’s cinematic journey (check out our full review here).

2. Jackie Brown (1997)

In “Jackie Brown,” the characters aren’t stereotypical action heroes dressed in flashy suits, but rather ordinary individuals with flaws and vulnerabilities. For instance, Max Cherry is a less-than-impressive character with thinning hair, Jackie Brown isn’t portrayed as a skilled criminal mastermind, but someone who practices her tough guy act before a significant confrontation. Even Louis Gara, during a robbery, forgets where he parked his car at the mall. These characters feel authentic and real, and it seems that Quentin Tarantino’s later movies could benefit from more of this human touch.

Some viewers may have been disappointed by Jackie Brown when it was first released because they expected something as groundbreaking and complex as Pulp Fiction, but even though the storytelling isn’t as flashy in this film, it is still perfectly executed. The opening credits, partially inspired by The Graduate, provide insight into Jackie’s character without a single word spoken. Scenes like the one where Ordell settles up with Beaumont are exceptional, and the movie ends with one of the most memorable kisses in cinema history. It’s not sexy in a traditional sense; it’s imperfect, which makes it all the more impactful.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

In the ’90s, Pulp Fiction may not have been the most impactful film, with few movies resembling it after 25 years; however, at one point, it was highly imitated. The quality of these imitations highlights just how singular Quentin Tarantino’s talent was, and remains, then and now. Pulp Fiction is a cinematic marvel that defies conventional wisdom, seamlessly blending disparate elements. It’s an intricate exploration of Los Angeles underworld characters, yet it delves deeply into their complex personalities. It’s a chaotic blend of the extraordinary—magical briefcases and secret lairs—and the ordinary—discussions about foot massages and international cuisine. It’s grandiose, it’s intimate, it’s comedic, it’s melancholic, it’s violent, it’s surreal. It’s Pulp Fiction.

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2025-04-02 07:24

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