Brad Pitt as Leonardo DiCaprio's stunt double? Quentin Tarantino clearly views it as a possibility, as he's now made a deal with his Inglourious Basterds lead to co-star with DiCaprio in his new film, and has confirmed the title as Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
Tarantino has been planning this one for a while, working on the script and aiming to gather a cast including some – such as Pitt and DiCaprio – he's worked with before, and some new faces, including Margot Robbie, who is still in talks.
Hollywood will be set in the 1960s with the Manson murders as a backdrop more than a focus. DiCaprio is playing former Western TV series star Rick Dalton, looking to re-ignite his career with films, while Pitt is his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth, who has similar ambitions. They're struggling to make it in a Hollywood neither man recognises anymore and Dalton happens to be neighbours with ill-fated actress Sharon Tate, the role Robbie is circling.
"I’ve been working on this script for five years, as well as living in Los Angeles County most of my life, including in 1969, when I was 7 years old," Tarantino said in a statement picked up by Variety. "I’m very excited to tell this story of an LA, and a Hollywood that don’t exist anymore. And I couldn’t be happier about the dynamic teaming of DiCaprio & Pitt as Rick & Cliff."
Tarantino is preparing to shoot the movie, ready for a 9 August, 2019 release date, which not-so-coincidentally is the 50th anniversary of the Manson family's killing spree.
Alongside the numerous films he's producing, Pitt will next be seen on screen in sci-fi pic Ad Astra (though that title might evolve), currently set for 11 January next year.
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