Tarantino Abandons 10th Film Starring Brad Pitt: 'The Movie Critic' Left in Limbo

Renowned filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, celebrated for his iconic works like ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Django Unchained’, and ‘Reservoir Dogs’, has opted out of his previously anticipated project, ‘The Movie Critic’, which was speculated to mark his final directorial endeavor.

According to reports from ‘Variety’, Tarantino has decided to shelve the project indefinitely, signaling a departure from his earlier intentions. Despite ‘The Movie Critic’ being slated as his tenth feature film, sources reveal Tarantino's inclination towards exploring fresh creative avenues rather than revisiting or resurrecting the existing script.

Initially, ‘The Movie Critic’ boasted Brad Pitt in a prominent role, as disclosed by ‘Variety’. Tarantino had hinted that the film, set in 1977, revolved around a modest film critic renowned for his insightful reviews published in a less conventional platform—a pornographic magazine. Speculations arose regarding Pitt potentially reprising his ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ character, Cliff Booth, known for his cinephile inclinations, as depicted in Tarantino’s novel adaptation.

Tarantino teased audiences about ‘The Movie Critic’ during a candid discussion at the Cannes Film Festival, teasingly remarking, “I can’t spill the beans until the curtains rise. Although, I'm tempted to enact some of the character's soliloquies right here, but I'll resist... for now. Perhaps if the cameras were fewer in number. Patience is key.”

Initial reports of Tarantino's withdrawal from the project surfaced courtesy of ‘Deadline’. The production had gained momentum, securing a substantial $20 million tax incentive from the state of California, before Tarantino's change of heart.

As for Tarantino's next venture, speculation looms over his choices, particularly after his renouncement of an R-rated ‘Star Trek’ venture in 2019, citing its ambitious scale. “I might conceive a grandiose concept eventually. However, presently, the allure of a more intimate audience dynamic holds greater appeal,” Tarantino expressed during his earlier deliberations.