'Pulp Fiction' Trivia: Samuel L. Jackson’s 'Bad MF' Wallet Belonged to Tarantino

The wallet carried by Jules in Quentin Tarantino’s film Pulp Fiction was not merely a prop, but actually belonged to the director himself. It bore the inscription “Bad #&&*@,” a phrase that has become iconic within the film’s universe.

Interestingly, Tarantino chose this particular wallet because of its reference to the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft. The connection runs deeper than mere aesthetics; Samuel L. Jackson, who portrayed Jules in Pulp Fiction, would later go on to play the character that inspired the wallet’s design in the 2000 remake of Shaft.

This subtle detail highlights Tarantino’s love for classic cinema and his penchant for embedding personal touches and references into his work. The wallet, therefore, is more than just a prop; it is a nod to Tarantino’s cinematic influences and a clever link between his films and the broader history of American cinema.

It also exemplifies how Tarantino often blurs the lines between his personal interests and his storytelling, creating layers of meaning for attentive viewers. The choice of such a distinctive item underscores Tarantino’s meticulous attention to detail and his desire to pay homage to films that have shaped his career.

Ultimately, this small but significant prop encapsulates the interconnectedness of Tarantino’s work with the wider world of film history, making it a memorable piece for fans and cinephiles alike.