Tarantino Confirms Final Film Script Is Complete but Pauses for West End Play

Key points

• Tarantino confirmed on 'The Graham Norton Show' that he has written the script for his tenth film, which he describes as a project he 'really likes.'
• The director has chosen to pause work on the film to focus on 'The Popinjay Cavalier,' a swashbuckling comedy play starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
• 'The Popinjay Cavalier' is scheduled to open at London’s Phoenix Theatre in March 2027, following previews in late February, and will run until June 13.
• Tarantino noted that the play originated as a screenplay but was reimagined for the stage due to its 'French farce' quality.
• His most recent directorial effort remains 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019); he has not directed a feature film since then.
• A spin-off titled 'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth,' written by Tarantino but directed by David Fincher, is set to release in late 2026.

Background

Tarantino has long maintained a strict career limit of ten feature films. His ninth film, 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' was released in 2019. While he has been active in writing, including the screenplay for the upcoming 'Cliff Booth' spin-off directed by David Fincher, he has not directed a new feature since 2019. The current announcement clarifies that while his final script is complete, his immediate professional focus has shifted to theater.

How outlets are covering it

Variety, Far Out Magazine, and Starts at 60 all report the core facts of the Graham Norton interview, confirming the script is finished and the delay is due to the play. Far Out Magazine provides additional context, noting that Tarantino previously considered a film called 'The Movie Critic' but chose not to pursue it, and highlights his personal life, including his children and a third on the way, as factors in his decision to 'live a little.' Starts at 60 focuses primarily on the quote regarding his desire to pause for personal time. All sources agree that the play 'The Popinjay Cavalier' is the immediate priority, with Variety and Far Out Magazine detailing its origin as a screenplay that was reworked for the stage.

Why it matters

This announcement resolves years of speculation regarding the timeline of Tarantino's final film. By confirming the script is complete but pausing for a theatrical project, Tarantino signals that his final feature may not arrive for several years. This delay also highlights his expanding influence beyond cinema into the West End theater scene, while his continued involvement in writing projects like the 'Cliff Booth' spin-off demonstrates his ongoing relevance in the industry despite his self-imposed retirement from directing.

What to watch

The next major milestone is the opening of 'The Popinjay Cavalier' at London’s Phoenix Theatre in March 2027. Following the play's run, which ends in June 2027, Tarantino has indicated he will spend time with his family before deciding whether to proceed with his tenth film. There is currently no announced start date for the film's production or release.