Brad Pitt's sequel to 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' is set for a theatrical release this fall before heading to Netflix. Titled 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth,' the film will have an exclusive two-week run on Imax screens starting November 25, followed by a streaming debut on December 23.
Plot and Cast Details
Directed by David Fincher from a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, the plot remains under wraps, but the story takes place in 1977 and follows Pitt's stuntman character living in 'a very different Hollywood.' The cast includes Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, Carla Gugino, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Peter Weller.
Pitt won an Oscar for his portrayal of Cliff Booth in the original 2019 film. Fincher and Pitt have previously collaborated on 'Se7en,' 'Fight Club,' and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.'
Tarantino's Involvement
Tarantino expanded on Cliff and Rick Dalton's exploits in a novelization of the film. Pitt's character was expected to appear in Tarantino's 10th film, 'The Movie Critic,' before the director abandoned the project. Tarantino has long discussed retiring after his 10th film, stating he wants to leave audiences wanting more.
'I don't believe you should stay onstage until people are begging you to get off,' Tarantino told Deadline in 2014. 'I like the idea of leaving them wanting a bit more.'
Netflix's Theatrical Strategy
Despite the theatrical release, Netflix maintains its focus on home viewing. The streamer has experimented with limited theatrical runs for recent titles like 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' and 'Jay Kelly.' Special screenings were also held for 'KPop Demon Hunters' and the 'Stranger Things' finale.
In 2025, Netflix will give Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' a traditional theatrical run. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos downplayed the importance of theaters in 2024, suggesting that 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' would have been just as successful on Netflix.
'Both of those movies would be great for Netflix,' Sarandos said. 'They definitely would have enjoyed just as big an audience on Netflix.' He added that screen size doesn't affect movie enjoyment, noting his son watched 'Lawrence of Arabia' on his phone.
However, Pitt's 'F1 The Movie,' produced by Apple, proved successful in theaters before streaming, indicating continued audience interest in big-screen experiences.
