Tarantino Debuts Cliff Booth Footage at AFI Fest

Quentin Tarantino surprised audiences at AFI Fest on Friday night by sharing the first 17 minutes of 'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth.' The 63-year-old filmmaker revealed the footage during a Q&A session at the TCL Chinese Theatre following a screening of his 2019 film 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.' Tarantino spoke about his attachment to the original movie's characters and the fictional Hollywood timeline he created. He wrote the new script but handed directing duties to David Fincher.

"I could talk a little bit about 'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth,' or…I could show you the first 17 minutes," Tarantino said. The footage presented a darker version of Cliff Booth, closer to his novelized portrayal, and served as the first substantive look at the project. The film is a crime story combining violence, ambition, and desire in Los Angeles.

Key creative team and cast details

The film is directed by David Fincher and stars Brad Pitt, reprising his Academy Award-winning role as stuntman Cliff Booth. The cast includes several other notable names.

Brad Pitt originally played Cliff in the 2019 film and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. Tarantino stated he loved the character and Pitt's portrayal. The film features period-accurate 1970s production design and pop culture references, including a specific 'Canadian tuxedo' worn by Pitt that is Billy Jack's actual outfit from 'Born Losers.' Margot Robbie also provides the voice of a Pan Am flight attendant. The film is scheduled to premiere in IMAX theaters on Nov. 25, before streaming on Netflix on Dec. 23.

Historical context and influences

Set in June 1977, the story continues from the 1969 timeline of 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.' It follows Cliff Booth as a projectionist at the New Beverly Cinema-a theater Tarantino owns-and a Hollywood fixer solving problems within the industry. Tarantino stated the film draws from Elmore Leonard and Raymond Chandler influences, in a vein similar to his own 'True Romance,' 'Reservoir Dogs,' and 'Pulp Fiction.' He described investing deeply in the film's mythology, noting that while the audience doesn't need to know everything, it's important for him to know.

Notable revelations about casting and development

Tarantino discussed significant casting history during the Q&A, moderated by Rotten Tomatoes' Jacqueline Coley. He revealed that the late Burt Reynolds was originally cast as George Spahn in 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.'

"The casting that to me was the most meaningful ended up not being in the movie," Tarantino said. He had spoken with Reynolds about the role and they had rehearsed and done a script reading together before the actor's death. Bruce Dern ultimately played George Spahn in the finished film. Tarantino also announced an upcoming play, 'The Popinjay Cavalier' starring Sacha Baron Cohen, with previews scheduled for February and rehearsals starting in November. The film is a Netflix production and is slated for release next month. It opens theatrically on November 25.