David Fincher is directing the highly anticipated sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, which will be released directly on Netflix, skipping the traditional theatrical premiere. This decision has sparked controversy, as fans and critics worry that bypassing theaters undermines the legacy of Tarantino’s cinematic style.
The Shift from Tarantino’s Vision to Fincher’s Streaming Release
Quentin Tarantino initially began work on a tenth film titled The Movie Critic, intended as his final directorial project. However, he decided to abandon the script after realizing the story was too closely connected to the 2019 Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, particularly centering on Brad Pitt’s character, Cliff Booth. Due to Tarantino’s strict personal rule of directing only ten films, he scrapped the project but passed the story along to David Fincher.
Fincher, known for acclaimed movies like Se7en and Fight Club, is collaborating with Netflix under a four-year contract to produce films exclusively for streaming. As a result, the Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood sequel will receive a direct-to-streaming release without any theatrical run. For admirers of Tarantino’s distinctive filmmaking and grand cinematic experiences, this news is disappointing.
Fans often emphasize that Tarantino’s movies are crafted with theatrical viewing in mind, making the choice to skip theaters feel disrespectful to his artistic legacy. While Fincher is a respected director, releasing the sequel exclusively on Netflix removes the communal big-screen experience that Tarantino’s films celebrate.
The Importance of Theatrical Releases for Tarantino’s Style
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is widely regarded as Tarantino’s ode to 1970s and ’80s cinema, blending carefully crafted cinematography with unique sound design and a nostalgic tone. The thought of its sequel debuting solely on a streaming platform feels contrary to the homage Tarantino paid to the traditional movie-going experience in the original film.
Tarantino’s movies are known for their iconic scenes — such as the tense bar sequence in Inglorious Basterds, or Samuel L. Jackson’s famous line
“English motherf*cker, DO YOU SPEAK IT?”
— that are best experienced on the big screen where the impact of performances and sound design fully comes through. Streaming, in contrast, can diminish that cinematic atmosphere, reducing these moments to something less immersive.
Classic scenes involving characters like The Bride from Kill Bill or Django confronting Calvin Candie in Django Unchained rely on the theater setting to convey their heightened drama and pacing. The magic of Tarantino’s storytelling often depends on the audience’s shared, live experience in a theater, something that direct-to-streaming releases cannot replicate.
Impact on Quentin Tarantino’s Legacy and Viewer Expectations
Because Quentin Tarantino has a deep passion for filmmaking and cinema culture, bypassing a theatrical debut for a movie he created feels like a disservice to his legacy. The community experience of seeing a Tarantino movie unfold on the big screen is part of what has made his films memorable. Delivering the sequel only through streaming may diminish its cultural and artistic significance.
The change also raises concerns about the evolving movie distribution landscape, where even major studio projects are increasingly moving away from theaters. Fans worried about this trend argue that some films deserve the cinematic treatment, especially those with strong connections to Hollywood history and visual storytelling like Tarantino’s works.
While David Fincher’s involvement brings excitement due to his acclaimed career, the choice to forgo theaters causes unease among those hoping to enjoy more of the Cliff Booth character’s story in a traditional setting. This move symbolizes a larger shift in how high-profile movies might reach audiences in the future.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is currently available for rental on Apple TV+ in the USA, allowing viewers to revisit the original film before the sequel arrives on Netflix.
Quentin Tarantino’s movies aren’t built for streaming.
—David Fincher, Director
