⏰ Hollywood’s most dangerous stuntman is clocking back in.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
The Adventures of Cliff Booth is officially on the way, and this is not rumor, wishcasting, or industry chatter. The project is real, filmed, and headed to Netflix in 2026 with Brad Pitt once again stepping into the boots of the quietly lethal Cliff Booth, the character who stole Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and walked away with an Oscar.
This time, Cliff gets the spotlight.
A Tarantino Story Directed by Fincher
The screenplay comes straight from Quentin Tarantino, who created Cliff Booth and has described the project as a slice of the character’s life rather than a traditional sequel. Tarantino chose not to direct, instead giving the reins to David Fincher, marking the first time a Tarantino-written feature has been directed by someone else.
Brad Pitt himself helped guide that handoff, and Fincher’s involvement signals a darker, sharper visual style than the sun baked nostalgia of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. This is a character study with teeth.
Netflix Is All In
Netflix officially greenlit the project in 2025 and lists The Adventures of Cliff Booth as part of its 2026 release slate. While Netflix has not announced a specific release date, the film is expected to arrive in summer 2026.
The streamer is also exploring a limited theatrical run ahead of streaming, likely for awards eligibility, though no formal plan has been announced. For now, Netflix remains the confirmed distributor.
Production Wrapped in California
Filming began in July 2025 and continued through late fall, with production stretching into early 2026. The shoot took place in California and remained tightly controlled, with plot details kept firmly under wraps.
Cinematography is handled by Erik Messerschmidt, a frequent Fincher collaborator, further reinforcing the expectation that this film will feel distinctly different from Tarantino’s usual visual rhythm.
A Deep Bench of Talent
Brad Pitt leads an ensemble cast that includes Scott Caan, Elizabeth Debicki, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Carla Gugino, Holt McCallany, JB Tadena, Corey Fogelmanis, Karren Karagulian, Lauren Glazier, and Peter Weller.
Notably absent from confirmed credits is Leonardo DiCaprio. While speculation swirled early on, there has been no official confirmation of Rick Dalton’s return.
So What Is This Movie Actually About?
Officially, the story follows Cliff Booth later in his life, continuing the character’s journey beyond the events of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Unofficially, almost nothing else has been revealed.
What we do know comes directly from Pitt, who has described the film as an episode in Cliff’s life rather than a conventional sequel. That framing suggests a more intimate story, focused on character rather than spectacle, though with Cliff Booth, violence is never far away.
Why This Isn’t Just Another Spinoff
This film is a rare collision of creative heavyweights. Tarantino writing without directing. Fincher stepping into someone else’s cinematic universe. Pitt returning to one of the most iconic roles of his career with full narrative control. It is also one of Netflix’s most ambitious films to date, with a reported budget that places it among the streamer’s biggest original productions. For fans of smart, adult filmmaking and for anyone who wanted more Cliff Booth the first time around, this is a must watch moment on the 2026 calendar.
And this time, Cliff Booth is not standing in anyone else’s shadow.
