Tarantino Shows 17 Minutes of Cliff Booth Sequel at AFI Fest
Quentin Tarantino surprised an AFI Fest crowd with the first 17 minutes of The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth. Here is what we know.
Film fans got a surprise treat in Los Angeles last week. After a Q&A session at AFI Fest, director Quentin Tarantino showed the audience the first 17 minutes of his new project, The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth. The sneak peek has set off a wave of excitement, and the name Tarantino has been climbing Google's trending searches ever since.
What Happened at AFI Fest
On October 23, Tarantino appeared at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The evening began with an IMAX screening of his 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, followed by a conversation with the audience. Then came the surprise. Tarantino wrapped up the night by playing the opening 17 minutes of the new movie.
Only the people in the room saw the footage. It was not a trailer, and it has not been released online. Reports describe it as an extended opening sequence. Those details are tightly held, and coverage so far says very little about specific scenes, so fans will need to wait for the full release.
Who Is Behind the Film
Tarantino wrote the screenplay, but he did not direct this one. That job went to David Fincher, the filmmaker behind Se7en, Fight Club and The Social Network. It is an unusual pairing: two of Hollywood's most distinctive directors, with one writing and the other behind the camera.
Brad Pitt returns as Cliff Booth, the laid-back stuntman he played in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, a role that earned him an Academy Award. Other cast members announced for the film include Scott Caan, Carla Gugino, Elizabeth Debicki, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Peter Weller.
What Is the Story?
The new film jumps ahead in time. Where the 2019 movie took place in 1969, this story is set in June 1977. Coverage describes Cliff working at the New Beverly Cinema, a real Los Angeles movie theater that Tarantino himself owns. Other reports describe him as a bartender and projectionist who also handles problems for powerful people in Hollywood.
Those descriptions differ a little, and the studio has not shared a full plot. What seems clear is the setting: a changed, grittier Hollywood in the late 1970s, with Cliff trying to make his way after the glamorous years are over.
When and Where Can You Watch It?
The release plan has two stages. The film opens in a two-week global IMAX run starting November 25, 2026. Then it arrives on Netflix on December 23. That gives fans who want the big-screen experience a chance to see it first, while everyone else can stream it at home over the holidays.
A Book to Go With the Movie
There is also a literary side to the project. A companion novel titled The Adventures of Cliff Booth is scheduled for release from HarperCollins on December 8, 2026. Tarantino has increasingly talked about writing books, and reports from the festival suggest he has been thinking about continuing the character's world in print, too.
Is This Tarantino's Last Movie?
Not exactly. Tarantino has said for years that he plans to stop directing after his tenth film. Because he did not direct this one, it does not count in that way. It does, however, keep him closely involved with the character and with Hollywood storytelling while the tenth film remains a separate project. There have also been reports that he has written a script for that film, though no details have been announced.
Why Fans Are So Excited
- A new kind of collaboration: Tarantino's dialogue and Fincher's precise filmmaking could be a fascinating mix.
- Brad Pitt's return: Cliff Booth was one of the most beloved parts of the earlier film, and many viewers wanted more of him.
- The IMAX in theaters first, then Netflix at home offers choice to watch.
- The 1970s setting: Few directors capture a period feel like Tarantino, and Fincher is famous for visual detail.
A Quick Refresher on Cliff Booth
If it has been a while since you saw the 2019 film Once Upon a time in hollywood, here is the shorter version. Cliff Booth was the stunt double, driver and close friend of fading TV actor Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie followed the two men through the final months of Hollywood's golden age in 1969. Cliff was calm, tough and loyal, with a mysterious past that the film only hinted at. Pitt won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the role, which is one big reason fans have wanted to see the character again.
The jump to 1977 matters. By then, the old studio system had faded, and a new generation of filmmakers had changed American movies. A character like Cliff, who belongs to an earlier era, makes a natural fit for a story about a changing industry.
Should You Rewatch the First Film?
It is not required, but it will probably help. The new movie is described as a follow-up to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and fans who remember the characters and the tone will likely catch more of the little details. With the first film available to stream and rent in many places, a rewatch before the November 25. IMAX release is an easy way to get ready.
What We Still Do Not Know
Because the footage was shown only in the room, there are plenty of open questions. How does the new story connect to the earlier movie? What exactly is Cliff's job in 1977? Will the film feel more like Tarantino or more like Fincher? Answers will come when a trailer or a full screening arrives. Until then, any detailed claims about the plot should be treated with caution.
The Bottom Line
A surprise 17-minute preview has put The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth firmly on the entertainment radar. With Tarantino writing, Fincher directing and Brad Pitt back in his best-loved role, the film is shaping up as one of the big talking points of the holiday season. Mark your calendar for November 25 in IMAX and December 23 on Netflix.
Sources consulted
Newsfactory articles are written for general information and are not financial, legal or investment advice. See our disclaimer and editorial policy.
