Quentin Tarantino has officially confirmed his retreat from the director's chair for the impending sequel to "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," handing over the reins to David Fincher, who will helm "The Adventures of Cliff Booth" for Netflix. During an episode of "The Church of Tarantino" podcast, the double Oscar-winner delved into the rationale behind his decision to decline involvement in the project, despite his fondness for the screenplay.
"I adore this script, but I find myself treading the same worn path," Tarantino confessed. "It left me somewhat uninspired. My next venture must be a leap into the unknown. I crave the thrill of uncharted creative territory." For Tarantino, directing the sequel would have amounted to recycling familiar artistic strides, rather than venturing into unprecedented creative waters for his swansong.
The conversation also saw Tarantino address "The Movie Critic," a project long rumored to be his tenth and final film. He unveiled that the film had been shelved due to its conceptual proximity to "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." "I lacked enthusiasm for dramatizing something I had penned during pre-production, particularly since I'd already honed the skills, learned from 'Once Upon a Time,' on how to transform Los Angeles into the Hollywood of 1969 sans CGI," he elaborated.
He further explained that reimagining 1969 Los Angeles for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" had posed a formidable challenge that ignited his creativity, whereas "The Movie Critic" lacked that sense of discovery. "It was a feat we had to pull off, an accomplishment we had to secure. There were no guarantees. But with 'The Movie Critic,' there were no puzzles to solve. I more or less knew how to transport L.A. back in time. It was too reminiscent of my last film."
For Tarantino, his decision to steer clear of both projects underscores his commitment to ensuring that his final film propels him into unfamiliar realms, where he can feel challenged as both a screenwriter and a director, embracing the thrill of novelty and exploration.
