Quentin Tarantino Has Script Ready for Final Film But Not Rushing to Shoot

Few directors have maintained a retirement vow as long as Quentin Tarantino. He has famously stated that he will only make 10 films, making every update on his final film a significant event for cinephiles. The waiting game has persisted for years.

His ninth film, ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, was released in 2019, and he hasn’t directed since. Tarantino considers the two ‘Kill Bill’ volumes as one film, which complicates the tally of his career.

Now, there’s a new update. During the October 16 episode of ‘The Graham Norton Show’, Tarantino revealed that he has a script he genuinely likes but hasn’t committed to filming it yet. Essentially, the screenplay exists, but production is not imminent.

Tarantino explained his thought process clearly. He wants to focus on his play first and see how he feels afterward, then spend time with his family and enjoy life before making any decisions about his next steps. This indicates a significant delay before any production date.

The play in question is ‘The Popinjay Cavalier’. It is a West End production featuring Sacha Baron Cohen, set to open in March.

Originally conceived as a movie, Tarantino began writing it as a screenplay but later realized it was better suited as a play. He described it as a blend of swashbuckling and French farce.

This marks a notable shift for a filmmaker known for his crime stories and revisionist history. It also demonstrates that he continues to write and explore new forms, even as his 10th film keeps getting pushed further down the line.

Real-life circumstances are also influencing the timeline. At 63, Tarantino has two young children, Leo, 6, and Adriana, 4, with his wife Daniella Pick, who is currently pregnant. The impending arrival of a third child makes a lengthy shoot seem even less pressing.

One outlet suggested that the earliest realistic window for his final film could be 2028. It also noted that it has been seven years since his last film, and that gap will extend to eight by next summer.

This isn’t the first time Tarantino has announced a completed script for his last movie. In March 2023, he mentioned in Paris that he had finished the script for what was to be his final film, ‘The Movie Critic’, set in 1977 and expected to shoot that fall.

The film progressed significantly, with California approving a $20 million tax credit for it, and the script initially began as an eight-part television series before he reworked it into a feature. However, in April 2024, reports indicated that he had changed his mind and was reconsidering what his final movie would be.

His recent writing has been directed elsewhere. He penned the script for Netflix’s ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’, directed by David Fincher, with Tarantino serving as a producer. The film is set for an IMAX release on November 25, followed by a Netflix debut on December 23. Tarantino reportedly did not want to conclude his career with a sequel.

Online reactions to the latest news have been mixed. Some fans welcomed the existence of a finished script, while others criticized the prolonged delay and urged him to either make the film or retire.

Both sides have valid points. A director with Tarantino’s impressive track record can afford to take his time, but patience is wearing thin as a promised final film has been “coming” for years.

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