Following early reports that David Fincher would direct a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood follow-up for Netflix, new details are emerging that clarify exactly what kind of story is being told — and what it isn’t.
Though earlier materials confirmed Fincher’s involvement and Brad Pitt’s return as Cliff Booth, this is not a direct sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film. As clarified on The Big Picture podcast by host Sean Fennessey, who has connections close to the project, the film is best understood as a standalone narrative focused on Booth, set eight years after the events of the original, in 1977.
"This probably should not be thought of as a sequel," Fennessey explained. "It should be thought of as a follow-up that is connected to, but not the same as." He compared it to classic noir storytelling traditions — where a character like Philip Marlowe may appear across different films with different tones, directors, and timelines. In this case, it's the further adventures of Cliff Booth — same character, new era.
The film is reportedly being developed at Netflix as part of Fincher’s ongoing partnership with the platform, and carries a substantial estimated budget of $200 million. This positions it as one of the streamer’s more ambitious original projects, though few official production details have been confirmed so far. Filming is expected to begin in July.
Back in March 2023, Tarantino revealed that a project he was working on — also set in 1977 — had evolved away from its original concept, which featured a movie critic as the lead. It’s now widely assumed that this was the moment his script began taking shape as a vehicle for Booth’s character instead.
While the plot remains under wraps, the film promises to reintroduce Booth in a different phase of life, well beyond the sun-drenched nostalgia of 1969 Hollywood. With a new decade and a fresh directorial voice guiding the story, this isn’t a return — it’s a reimagining. More updates on casting and official plot details are expected in the coming months.
