Netflix just pulled off one hell of a Super Bowl surprise.
Brad Pitt is back as Cliff Booth, everyone’s favorite laid-back stuntman from Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
But here’s the twist: Tarantino wrote it, yet he’s not directing.
David Fincher—the mind behind “Fight Club,” “Se7en,” and “Gone Girl”—is taking the wheel for “The Adventures of Cliff Booth,” and the first teaser dropped during the big game.
A Retro-Soaked First Look
The teaser hit all the right nostalgic notes, dripping with Old Hollywood charm and gritty ’70s vibes.
Set to retro music, viewers got quick glimpses of Cliff doing what Cliff does best: kicking back at a bar, roaming behind film sets, and tearing up a dirt track behind the wheel of a derby car. The opening shot shows him icing his knee—classic stuntman wear and tear—before meeting characters played by Elizabeth Debicki and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, both decked out in glamorous period attire.
True to form, there were plenty of cheeky censorship gags throughout: flashes of nude women, cigarettes, middle fingers, guns, and curse words all playfully dashed out in classic editing style.
And the closer? A shot of Cliff placing an Oscar on his desk—a clever nod to Pitt winning his first acting Academy Award for playing Booth in the 2019 original.
Why Tarantino Passed the Director’s Chair
Tarantino may have created Cliff Booth and penned this sequel, but he’s stepping aside to let Fincher take control.
Why? Tarantino has famously said he’ll only make 10 films before retiring, and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” was number nine. He’s saving that final slot for something special, and “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” isn’t it.
Enter David Fincher, who has a strong history with Netflix. His collaborations with the streamer include the critically acclaimed series “Mindhunter” and films like “The Killer” and “Mank.” Handing Fincher the reins ensures the project stays in masterful hands while Tarantino searches for his grand finale.
Picking Up in the 1970s
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” ended with Cliff Booth and his actor buddy Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) rewriting history by killing members of the Manson family on the night they would have murdered Sharon Tate and others in 1969.
Now, “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” picks up in the 1970s, following Booth as he navigates Hollywood’s next chapter.
DiCaprio’s Dalton isn’t expected to return, making this a true Cliff Booth spinoff. But fans of the original will recognize Timothy Olyphant, who’s confirmed to reprise his role as James Stacy.
A Stacked New Cast
Alongside Pitt, the film introduces a roster of fresh faces and veteran talent:
- Scott Caan
- Elizabeth Debicki
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
- Carla Gugino
- Holt McCallany
- JB Tadena
Each actor brings serious chops, and based on their costumes in the teaser, they’re fully immersed in the stylish, smoke-filled world of 1970s cinema.
Behind the Scenes Powerhouses
Tarantino serves as producer alongside Brad Pitt, David Heyman (the “Harry Potter” franchise producer), Ceán Chaffin, and Stacey Sher.
Frequent Fincher collaborator Erik Messerschmidt—who won an Oscar for “Mank”—is the director of photography, ensuring the film will look as stunning as it sounds.
Filming took place on location in Los Angeles, keeping it authentic to Cliff’s stomping grounds.
What This Means for Tarantino’s Legacy
By allowing Fincher to direct, Tarantino is doing something rare: expanding his universe without compromising his own vision for his final film.
It’s a calculated move that keeps Cliff Booth alive while preserving Tarantino’s creative endgame. Fans get more of the character they loved, and Tarantino gets to protect his carefully curated filmography.
It’s a win-win—and a bold experiment in franchise-building without traditional franchise fatigue.
When Can We Expect It?
Netflix hasn’t announced an official release date yet, but given the Super Bowl teaser drop, expect a major marketing push in the coming months.
If the teaser is any indication, “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” will deliver everything fans want: style, swagger, and pure cinematic cool.
Cliff Booth is back—and this time, he’s got an Oscar to prove it.