First Look: Brad Pitt Is Unrecognisable as Cliff Booth — And the Filming Location Raises Questions
Something about this shoot already has me curious.
Ever since it was announced that someone other than Tarantino would be continuing the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood story, I’ve kept a quiet eye on the project. Now that the first images from set have surfaced, what caught my attention wasn’t just Brad Pitt’s striking transformation — it was the filming location.
Pitt’s character, Cliff Booth, was spotted standing outside none other than the New Beverly Cinema — Quentin Tarantino’s own theatre in Los Angeles. That detail alone feels layered with meaning, doesn’t it? It’s hard not to read that as more than just a location.
The scene was shot at night, with Pitt fully back in Booth’s vintage look — long blond hair, boots, and that unmistakable laid-back stance. A familiar figure, placed in a curious new context.
Also seen on set were Corey Fogelmanis and Anora’s Karren Karagulian, whose appearance hadn’t been previously confirmed. Small casting surprises like this suggest the film may be mixing familiar faces with unexpected ones.
A poster in the background revealed another clue: Richard Pryor’s Which Way Is Up? (1977) was displayed near the cinema entrance. That nod to a specific year hints the story picks up about eight years after the original film’s 1969 setting.
The working title, The Adventures of Cliff Booth, feels lighter, almost pulp-like. Is Fincher leaning into something looser and episodic — or simply playing with expectations? I suppouse, this isn’t a straightforward sequel. It’s a creative continuation under a very different voice.
