Netflix eyes wide release for Pitt's 'Cliff Booth'

Netflix is reportedly planning a "robust" theatrical rollout for The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a spinoff of Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, targeting a summer 2026 release date.bleedingcool+2
David Fincher is directing the film from a screenplay written by Tarantino, who decided not to helm the project himself despite it being considered for his final film, explaining he wanted to explore "uncharted territory" rather than revisit familiar ground.bleedingcool+1
Brad Pitt reprises his Oscar-winning role as stuntman Cliff Booth, with Timothy Olyphant returning as James Stacy, and the cast includes Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Carla Gugino.wikipedia
The film carries a massive $200 million budget, making it the most expensive project ever associated with Tarantino and surpassing Fincher's previous biggest budget of $167 million for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.wikipedia+1
Production began in California in July 2025 and is expected to wrap by mid-January 2026, with the film set in 1977, eight years after the events of the original movie.wikipedia

Netflix is reportedly eyeing a "robust rollout" for "The Adventures of Cliff Booth," the highly anticipated sequel to Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," marking a potential shift in the streaming giant's theatrical strategy despite recent statements to the contrary.

According to Variety, the Brad Pitt-starring film could receive a wide theatrical release ahead of its Netflix debut, with sources targeting a summer 2026 release window. The move represents one of Netflix's most ambitious theatrical pushes to date, particularly notable given the film's massive $200 million budget.bleedingcool+5

Fincher Takes the Helm of Tarantino's Vision

The sequel, currently in production since July 2025, sees David Fincher directing from a screenplay written by Tarantino, who chose not to helm the project himself. Speaking on The Church of Tarantino podcast, the filmmaker explained his decision: "I love this script, but I'm still walking down the same ground I've already walked. It just kind of unenthused me".katv+2

Tarantino passed directing duties to Fincher, calling him "the perfect pick" and noting, "I think me and David Fincher are the two best directors". The collaboration reunites Pitt and Fincher after their successful partnerships on "Se7en," "Fight Club," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."cbsaustin+1

Netflix's Evolving Theatrical Strategy

The potential theatrical release comes despite Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently reaffirming that "there's no change in the strategy" regarding the company's streaming-first approach. However, Netflix has been selectively partnering with AMC Theatres on special releases, including "KPop Demon Hunters" and the upcoming "Stranger Things" series finale.deadline+5

The film stars Pitt reprising his Oscar-winning role as stuntman Cliff Booth, alongside Timothy Olyphant returning as James Stacy. The cast also includes Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Carla Gugino, Holt McCallany, and JB Tadena. Set in 1977, eight years after the original film's events, production is expected to wrap by mid-January 2026.wikipedia+1

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