It’s official: Sony Pictures has won the race to finance and distribute Quentin Tarantino‘s next movie.
Known under the rather apt working title ‘#9’, the 1960s period drama will be Tarantino’s ninth feature film, continuing a legacy that began when Reservoir Dogs launched him onto Hollywood’s radar back in ’92. It’ll also be the first to launch since the ongoing Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal, hence the change in personnel.
Indeed, Deadline’s report makes mention of a bidding war for #9, after every studio – Disney notwithstanding – in Tinsel Town expressed an interest in Quentin Tarantino’s latest venture. But the die has been cast: Sony Pictures has acquired worldwide rights for an unknown price tag, and it’s understood Tarantino is lining up a suitably stellar cast for what will be another R-rated feature.
According to Deadline’s scoop, the illustrious filmmaker has approached Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt (Inglorious Basterds) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Django Unchained) for the two lead roles. It’s unclear if all three will be in the finished product, but there have also been rumblings that Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad, Gotham City Sirens) has been offered the role of Charles Manson murder victim, Sharon Tate.
And though the script places a heavy emphasis on Charles Manson and his ruthless murder spree, Deadline warns that the former cult leader will only appear in a scene or two – similar to how Adolf Hitler was incorporated into the story of Inglorious. Set in Los Angeles, Sony is said to be gearing up for a production start mid-way through 2018 ahead of a possible release in 2019, and we understand the budget will be similar to that of Django ($100 million).
It’s a move that had been long on the cards, and after making all eight feature films under Miramax and The Weinstein Company – TWC was often called The House That Quentin Built by insiders (Harvey Weinstein included) – it seems Quentin Tarantino is ready to move on to pastures anew. And you can hardly blame him.
