Draft:The Movie Critic (film)

The Movie Critic is an unproduced American period film that was being written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. This was expected to be Tarantino's tenth and final film, a decision he has been publicizing since as early as 2009. It stars Brad Pitt.

Cast

 * Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth

Development
Quentin Tarantino has maintained that he seeks to retire from directing following the release of his tenth film, something he has dubbed " an epilogue" to his film directing career.

In March 2023, it was announced that Quentin Tarantino was set to direct and write what is billed as his final feature film, titled The Movie Critic, a period film set in 1970s Los Angeles. It was reported to have a female lead, with sources specilating that the story could potentially focus on film critic Pauline Kael. Sony Pictures, who previously distributed Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, acquired the distribution rights to the film. Later that month, Tarantino confirmed that the film would take place in 1977, and that the film would not be concerned with Kael. In May 2023, Tarantino revealed that the movie would be inspired by a movie critic, whose name he did not reveal, for a pornographic magazine, which would be called the Popstar Pages in the film, and would be set in California. He noted that the lead actor would be around 35 years old and an American. In September, it was reported that John Travolta and Kurt Russell were being considered for the film. In December, it was reported that Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson were offered lead roles in the film.

In February 2024, Brad Pitt was cast in the film, as potentially the lead, as well as the title had been confirmed to be The Movie Critic. Tom Cruise was in talks to join the film in a minor role or cameo appearance, who was previously in talks for the role of Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In April, it was reported that Tarantino had cancelled the film, and that he would be working on a different film altogether. It was said that the film would have served as either a prequel or a sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with Pitt reprising his role as Cliff Booth.

Filming
Principal photography was scheduled to begin in late 2024 or early 2025 in Los Angeles. It was previously scheduled to begin in September 2023, but was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

Release
The Movie Critic was eyed to be released in the United States in 2025.