Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2: Release Date, Plot, Cast and Everything We Know!

Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is getting a sequel – but with a major twist. This time, legendary director David Fincher takes the reins, with Brad Pitt reprising his role as Cliff Booth.

With Tarantino’s script and Fincher’s signature style, this unexpected sequel promises to be a cinematic spectacle.

Here’s all about it!

Is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 Happening?

Yes, it’s official! The critically acclaimed Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is getting a sequel – but with a major twist. While Quentin Tarantino wrote the script, he won’t be directing this time. Instead, David Fincher, the mastermind behind Se7en and Fight Club, is stepping in to bring the story to life.

David Fincher in The Social Network
David Fincher in The Social Network | Source: IMDb

Brad Pitt is also returning as the effortlessly cool stuntman Cliff Booth, and filming is set to kick off in the summer of 2025. This unexpected pairing has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Tarantino is famously protective of his work, so his decision to pass the directorial torch to Fincher is a big deal.

Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood | Source: IMDb

And considering Fincher’s usual penchant for dark, psychological thrillers, fans are eager (and a little nervous) to see how his style meshes with Tarantino’s hyper-stylized Hollywood fairy tale.

What Will Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 Be About?

Unlike the first film, which was a love letter to 1960s Hollywood, this sequel will zero in on Cliff Booth. The script was originally meant for Tarantino’s scrapped project The Movie Critic, but it seems he found a way to weave that narrative into Booth’s story instead.

Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Al Pacino in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Al Pacino in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood | Source: IMDb

This means we might get a deeper dive into Booth’s mysterious past. Tarantino has hinted that Booth was involved in some shady, off-the-books military missions before becoming Rick Dalton’s stunt double.

Could we see flashbacks of his time in the war? Will we get a more definitive answer about that one controversial moment from the first film – did Cliff really kill his wife?

Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood | Source: IMDb

One thing’s for sure: with Fincher at the helm, expect a more brooding, intense version of Hollywood’s golden era. The director’s signature touch – meticulous cinematography, psychological depth, and eerie suspense – could make Booth’s story darker and more introspective than Tarantino’s original.

Why Is Tarantino Handing Over the Reins?

Tarantino has always maintained that he’ll retire after his tenth film, and he wants that final project to be something he’s fully invested in. With The Movie Critic scrapped, he’s taking his time choosing his last film carefully.

Quentin Tarantino in Four Rooms
Quentin Tarantino in Four Rooms | Source: IMDb

But here’s the interesting part – Tarantino personally approached Fincher for this project. That means he sees something in Fincher’s style that could elevate his script in ways he wouldn’t (or wouldn’t want to) explore himself.

This handoff could also signal something bigger: is Tarantino finally open to letting other directors take on his stories? If Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 is a success, could we see Kill Bill Vol. 3 or a Pulp Fiction spinoff directed by someone else?

Will Leonardo DiCaprio Return?

As much as we’d love to see Rick Dalton and his meltdown-prone antics again, sources say DiCaprio’s return is “very doubtful.” This sequel is Booth’s story, and with DiCaprio’s packed schedule, even a cameo might be a stretch.

Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood | Source: IMDb

But let’s be honest – Cliff Booth was the real scene-stealer in the first film. His no-nonsense attitude, effortlessly cool demeanor, and Bruce Lee-beating bravado made him a fan favorite.

This sequel gives Pitt the space to fully own the screen, and under Fincher’s direction, Booth’s character could take on new layers we never expected.

When Will Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 Be Released?

Filming starts in summer 2025, so a 2026 release seems likely. With Fincher’s meticulous directing style, though, don’t be surprised if the wait is a little longer.

Netflix has reportedly set aside a staggering $200 million for this film, proving they’re betting big on this unexpected sequel.

Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood | Source: IMDb

What Does This Mean for Tarantino’s Legacy?

This is uncharted territory for Tarantino. He’s built his career on being a fiercely independent director who writes and directs his own projects. By stepping back and letting Fincher take the lead, he’s testing the waters of what his work looks like in someone else’s hands.

If the film succeeds, this could be the beginning of a new era for Tarantino’s cinematic universe – one where his iconic stories live on, even if he’s no longer in the director’s chair. But if it flops? Well, let’s just say the internet won’t be kind.

The Final Take

Hollywood thrives on surprises, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 is shaping up to be one of the biggest curveballs in recent memory.

Tarantino’s script, Fincher’s direction, and Pitt’s return make this one of the most intriguing projects on the horizon. Will it be a masterpiece, a disaster, or something in between? One thing’s for sure – it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

About Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 is an upcoming sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film, directed by David Fincher with a script by Tarantino.

Brad Pitt reprises his role as Cliff Booth, the stuntman with a violent past, in a story set in 1970s Hollywood. The plot expands on Booth’s character and draws from elements of Tarantino’s unused The Movie Critic screenplay, though specific details remain undisclosed. The film is being produced by Netflix, marking a shift from Sony’s theatrical release of the original.

While Pitt is confirmed to return, there has been no official announcement regarding Leonardo DiCaprio or Margot Robbie’s involvement. A tentative release window is set for late 2025 or early 2026.

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