Quentin Tarantino, best known for his directing and writing, is returning to acting after an 11-year hiatus by taking on a new role in Jamie Adams’ upcoming drama, Only What We Carry. This marks a rare Quentin Tarantino acting comeback, putting him back in front of the camera alongside Sofia Boutella, Simon Pegg, and Charlotte Gainsbourg in a project filmed recently in Normandy, France.
A New Acting Role in Jamie Adams’ Latest Drama
The acclaimed director, who has largely focused on filmmaking in recent years, will portray a character named John Percy in Only What We Carry. The film follows the story of a former student, played by Sofia Boutella, who returns home to confront her past, triggering hidden truths within a web of connected lives across Europe. While details of Tarantino’s character remain minimal, the production wrapped after a brief six-day shoot in Normandy, according to sources cited by IndieWire. No official premiere date has been revealed yet.
Background on Tarantino’s Previous Acting and Voice Work
Before this project, Tarantino’s on-screen appearances as an actor have been sporadic. He contributed voice acting for seven episodes of the TV drama Super Pumped in 2022 and appeared in his own films such as Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019) and The Hateful Eight (2015). However, his last live-action appearance was a cameo in Peter Bogdanovich’s 2014 dramedy She’s Funny That Way. Throughout his career, Tarantino has often appeared in small roles in his own movies, including Django Unchained, Death Proof, and From Dusk Till Dawn, demonstrating his willingness to embrace acting responsibilities beyond directing and writing.
The Impact of Halting ‘The Movie Critic’ and Tarantino’s Film Legacy
This return to acting comes about a year and a half after news emerged that Tarantino had stopped production on The Movie Critic, a project initially intended as his tenth and final feature film. The story was inspired by a little-known film critic from 1970s California who, as Tarantino described, was “never really famous.”
“He wrote about mainstream movies and he was the second-string critic. I think he was a very good critic. He was as cynical as hell. His reviews were a cross between early Howard Stern and what Travis Bickle [Robert DeNiro’s character in Taxi Driver] might be if he were a film critic.”
— Quentin Tarantino
While the fate of that film remains uncertain, Tarantino’s influence on cinema is undeniable, having directed nine features and winning over 170 awards, including two Oscars for Best Original Screenplay. His work is marked by unconventional narratives and a distinctive style that blends dark themes and stylized violence.
The Film Tarantino Felt Destined to Create
In discussing his body of work, Tarantino recently shared insights into the film he considers most representative of his unique creative vision. On The Church of Tarantino podcast, he singled out Kill Bill as the movie that only he could have made, shaped entirely from his imagination, passions, and obsessions.
“I think Kill Bill is the ultimate Quentin movie, like nobody else could’ve made it. Every aspect about it is so particularly ripped, like with tentacles and bloody tissue, from my imagination and my id and my loves and my passion and my obsession. So I think Kill Bill is the movie I was born to make … Kill Bill is a really good script, but that’s all about the filming of it.”
— Quentin Tarantino
This reflection highlights how Kill Bill encapsulates Tarantino’s distinct identity as a storyteller, emphasizing the deep personal connection he has with the film’s creation.
What Tarantino’s Return to Acting Might Mean for His Career
Quentin Tarantino’s unexpected return to acting provides a glimpse into a new phase of his career, potentially signaling more diverse involvement in projects beyond directing. After focusing on filmmaking and shelving a promised final film, stepping into a substantial role in Only What We Carry may reignite his presence in front of the camera and offer fans a fresh perspective on his talents.
As production ended recently in Normandy, audiences await news on the film’s release and Tarantino’s specific contribution to the ensemble cast. Given Tarantino’s reputation and previous multi-faceted involvement in cinema, this acting comeback could lead to further creative ventures that blend his directorial insight with on-screen performances.
