Fincher and Tarantino Reveal 1977 Crime Plot for Brad Pitt's Cliff Booth Sequel

Key points

• The film is set in 1977, eight years after the events of 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' and shifts the genre from a 'hangout movie' to a crime narrative.
• Brad Pitt reprises his role as Cliff Booth, who now works as a bartender, projectionist, and occasional fixer for Hollywood figures.
• The new cast includes Elizabeth Debicki as talent agent Karen Crosby, Scott Caan as TV star Charlie Peters, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Roderick 'Hot Rod' Harrison.
• David Fincher cut 60 pages from Tarantino's original 230-page script, resulting in a final runtime of two hours and 20 minutes.
• The film will have a two-week IMAX exclusive starting November 25, 2026, followed by a Netflix release on December 23, 2026.

Background

The project was previously announced with a trailer in September 2026, which highlighted the 1977 setting and the character's transition from stuntman to fixer. Tarantino is also publishing a novel adaptation titled 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth' on December 8, 2026.

How outlets are covering it

While Deadline and Netflix focus on the new promotional photos and cast details, Empire and The Hollywood Reporter emphasize the creative collaboration between Fincher and Tarantino. Fincher described the film as a 'story around a bonfire' focused on character collisions, whereas Tarantino characterized it as an 'Elmore Leonard paperback' with a strong plot. The Hollywood Reporter noted the boldness of Fincher cutting over a quarter of Tarantino's script, while Empire highlighted the joint interview where both creators discussed their differing views on the film's structure.

Why it matters

The film represents a significant collaboration between two major Hollywood figures, Fincher and Tarantino, and marks a shift in the Cliff Booth character's narrative from a 1969 'hangout' to a 1977 crime story. The extensive script cuts by Fincher suggest a distinct directorial vision that may differ from Tarantino's original intent, potentially influencing audience reception and critical analysis.

What to watch

The film will premiere in IMAX theaters globally on November 25, 2026, and will be available on Netflix starting December 23, 2026. A novel adaptation by Tarantino is scheduled for release on December 8, 2026.