The ‘Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood’ Quasi-Sequel Is Dropping Soon: Everything We Know About

By Tyler Grant February 26, 2026
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The ‘Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood’ Quasi-Sequel Is Dropping Soon: Everything We Know About @ Men's Journal

The Powerhouse Collab: Tarantino, Pitt, Fincher, and Netflix

If you recall, the announcement regarding a follow-up to Quentin Tarantino’s smash hit Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood first broke on April 1, 2025. At the time, it felt like total April Fool’s bait, but as it turns out, the project is officially a go. While we’re still waiting on a specific drop date, it’s confirmed that the premiere of the quasi-sequel, ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’, will hit screens before the end of 2026.

This upcoming flick, which is already generating massive Oscar buzz, isn't a direct sequel to the 2019 film that took home two Academy Awards. In reality, it’s a fascinating pivot from Tarantino’s original plan to shoot his tenth and final career project. After he scrapped that idea, Brad Pitt—who won an Oscar for playing the legendary stuntman Cliff Booth—stepped in, expressing his love for the script. Ultimately, Tarantino gave his blessing for Pitt to bring the vision to life with David Fincher, the director behind Pitt’s iconic roles in Seven (1995) and Fight Club (1999).

"The synergy between Fincher’s meticulous precision and Tarantino’s chaotic energy is the cinematic equivalent of a lightning strike," notes a lead film analyst for Forbes.
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Brad Pitt on the set of The Adventures of Cliff Booth
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David Fincher and Brad Pitt on the set of The Adventures of Cliff Booth

Since Fincher is currently locked into an exclusive multi-year deal with Netflix, the streaming giant is spearheading the project. Given the pedigree of everyone involved, it’s safe to say the hype train is justified.

What the Super Bowl Teaser Revealed

Let’s be real: putting two of the greatest living directors on one project sounds like main character energy that’s almost too good to be true. Yet, during the Super Bowl, we were treated to a one-minute teaser. It was short on plot details and release dates, but from a marketing perspective, it was pure genius.

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So, what did we actually see? First, the teaser leans hard into a gritty, "dirty" 1970s aesthetic. Second, there’s a noticeable lack of major studio logos—it’s all about the Netflix branding. Third, it looks like we’re diving back into true crime territory. The trailer drops some pretty heavy hints about the presence of the notorious serial killer Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker).

The footage also begs the question: can Cliff Booth still hold his own? In an era of endless reboots, prequels, and cash-grab sequels, there’s always a bit of skepticism. It’s been nearly seven years since the original hit theaters. Since then, Tarantino has mostly been in the news for his film recommendations and hot takes on his peers, while David Fincher’s Gone Girl (2014) remains his last true box office blockbuster (though Mank and The Killer were critical darlings, they didn't exactly break the internet).

The A-List Cast of ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’

Despite the skepticism, it’s hard not to trust this lineup. Fincher is a master at taking top-tier scripts and filtering them through his unique lens to create something haunting. Meanwhile, Tarantino’s writing always brings a sense of scale and a stylized perspective on both life and the film industry. You can spot his signature dialogue from a mile away, even in projects he didn't direct, like Tony Scott’s True Romance (1993).

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Brad Pitt on the set of The Adventures of Cliff Booth

As for the 62-year-old Brad Pitt, while his personal life has faced some tabloid scrutiny, his style icon status remains untouched—whether he's rocking Ray-Ban Aviators or vintage Saint Laurent. He still knows how to pick a winning project, even if 2024’s Wolfs didn't quite land with critics. While their previous collaboration on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) had mixed reviews from fans, it still racked up 13 Oscar nominations.

"Pitt’s ability to inhabit the 'coolest guy in the room' archetype is exactly why Cliff Booth became an instant legend," says a fashion editor at Vogue.

The "Old Guard" of Hollywood seems to be uniting for one last ride, and the cast list is stacked: Elizabeth Debicki, Carla Gugino, Timothy Olyphant, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Holt McCallany, and Peter Weller. We’ll just have to wait for the premiere to see what’s next for the legendary stuntman—who, by the way, is reportedly rocking a very 70s mustache this time around.

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Tyler Grant

Tyler covers a wide spectrum of subjects—from travel and gear to mental health, hobbies, and modern masculinity. His approach is conversational and experience-driven, aimed at making content feel personal and accessible.

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