Quentin Tarantino treated moviegoers at AFI Fest to an unexpected first look at his upcoming project, unveiling the first 17 minutes of "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth." The filmmaker appeared at Hollywood's TCL Chinese Theatre following a screening of his 2019 feature "Once Upon a Time ... In Hollywood," surprising the audience alongside director David Fincher.
Following a conversation moderated by Rotten Tomatoes editor Jacqueline Coley, Tarantino gave the audience an ultimatum between discussing the new feature or previewing it directly. Choosing the latter, the director revealed the lengthy opening segment, offering attendees an extensive introduction to the next chapter in the fictional life of Brad Pitt's stuntman character.
'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth' Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Director | David Fincher |
| Screenwriter | Quentin Tarantino |
| Timeline | 1977 |
| Imax Theatrical Premiere | Nov. 25 |
| Netflix Streaming Release | Dec. 23 |
A Return to Cliff Booth in Late 1970s Los Angeles
Directed by Fincher from a script penned by Tarantino, "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth" shifts the timeline forward from the 1969 backdrop of the original film to 1977. The story reintroduces Booth during an era when the industry no longer requires his services as a "hippie-slaying stuntman," finding him instead taking on work as a bartender, a movie projectionist, and an off-the-books Hollywood fixer handling delicate dilemmas.
The plot kicks off when Booth receives a request from talent agent Karen Crosby, played by Elizabeth Debicki. She contacts Booth regarding her high-profile client Charlie Peters, a television star who performs his own stunts, portrayed by Scott Caan. The investigation pulls Booth into Peters' circle, which features his knowing spouse Toni, played by Carla Gugino, and former pro football athlete turned screen personality Roderick "Hot Rod" Harrison, portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
The official synopsis positions the project as an evolution from the nostalgic fairy tale tone of "Once Upon a Time ... In Hollywood" into a full-fledged crime narrative. As Booth navigates the town, he also encounters the Verdusco brothers, a duo of mysterious criminals played by Matt Groove and JB Tadena, who are causing chaos across Los Angeles.
Fincher's Aesthetic and Tarantino's Paperback Inspiration
Visually, the preview presents a 1977 Los Angeles realized through Fincher's signature dark, gritty lens, contrasted with dialogue bearing Tarantino's unmistakable writing cadence. Alongside Pitt, Debicki, Caan, Gugino, and Abdul-Mateen II, the production also features veteran actor Peter Weller.
Explaining his creative motivation during the event Q&A, Tarantino reflected on why he opted to continue the stuntman's journey. The writer recalled a critique stating that "Once Upon a Time ... In Hollywood" felt like the first cinematic universe Tarantino conceived that he would actually want to reside in.
"I loved the Cliff Booth character," Tarantino said. "I loved the way that Brad played him, and there was this aspect of him as sort of like a paperback hero. I could see like a series of paperbacks with Cliff Booth getting involved with this adventure or that adventure or something like that."
Release Strategy and Tarantino's London Stage Plans
During his appearance, Tarantino also touched upon his ventures beyond cinema, mentioning his upcoming London stage play, "The Popinjay Cavalier." Set to star Sacha Baron Cohen, the West End production is scheduled to launch preview performances in February, with rehearsal sessions beginning in November.
"I'm not going to talk a whole lot about that, but our previews are in February," Tarantino remarked, summarizing his ongoing creative drive. "I'm just a writer, and that's just kind of what I do. I'm always writing."
Audiences outside the festival circuit will soon see the finished collaboration between Tarantino and Fincher. The Netflix feature is slated for an Imax theatrical debut on Nov. 25, followed by its streaming release on the platform on Dec. 23.
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Source: Variety
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