Fincher Trims Tarantino's 230-Page Cliff Booth Script to 2 Hours 20 Minutes

Key points

• Fincher reduced Tarantino's 230-page draft by 60 pages to create a 2-hour 20-minute film.
• The film is set in 1977, eight years after the events of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
• Brad Pitt reprises his Oscar-winning role as stuntman Cliff Booth.
• The film will have a two-week IMAX exclusive starting November 25, followed by a Netflix release on December 23.
• Tarantino describes the script as having the 'flavor of an Elmore Leonard paperback' rather than a 'hangout movie.'

Background

The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth is a sequel to the 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which earned 10 Oscar nominations. Brad Pitt won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role as Cliff Booth in the original. The new film is directed by David Fincher, who previously worked with Pitt on Se7en, Fight Club, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Tarantino decided against directing the sequel himself, opting to hand over directing duties to Fincher.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and The Playlist all report that Fincher cut 60 pages from Tarantino's 230-page script, resulting in a 2-hour 20-minute film. THR and Variety emphasize Fincher's focus on character dynamics over plot, while The Playlist highlights the scale of the cut. Empire provides a joint interview with Tarantino and Fincher, where Tarantino describes the film as a 'crime-story paperback' rather than a 'hangout movie,' contrasting it with the 2019 original. All sources agree on the release dates: a two-week IMAX exclusive starting November 25, followed by a Netflix release on December 23. THR and Variety note that Pitt helped bring Fincher onto the project, while Variety adds that Tarantino considered the film a potential 10th and final movie before deciding against directing it himself.

Why it matters

The collaboration between Tarantino and Fincher represents a significant creative partnership in Hollywood, with Pitt's involvement bridging the gap between the two directors. The film's shift from a 'hangout movie' to a crime narrative signals a departure from the 2019 original's tone, potentially appealing to audiences seeking a more plot-driven sequel. The release strategy, combining an IMAX exclusive with a Netflix premiere, reflects the evolving landscape of theatrical and streaming distribution in the film industry.

What to watch

The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth will premiere in IMAX theaters globally on November 25, 2026, followed by a Netflix release on December 23, 2026. Audiences will be able to watch the film in theaters for two weeks before it becomes available on streaming. The film's reception, particularly regarding its darker tone and plot-driven narrative, will be closely monitored by critics and fans of the 2019 original.