Netflix has revealed that David Fincher’s upcoming film, The Adventures of Cliff Booth, will debut in IMAX theatres this autumn. The sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is set for a two-week exclusive run in IMAX from 25 November, before moving to Netflix on 23 December.
This release strategy mirrors Netflix’s approach with the Knives Out sequels, which also received limited theatrical runs before their streaming debuts. Notably, The Adventures of Cliff Booth is taking over the IMAX release slot originally set for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film, which has been postponed to February 2027.
Fincher’s last major theatrical release was Gone Girl in 2014. Since then, he has worked primarily with Netflix on projects such as Mindhunter, Mank, and The Killer. While The Killer had a limited theatrical release, fans have been eagerly awaiting Fincher’s return to the big screen in a significant way.
The Adventures of Cliff Booth was initially developed by Quentin Tarantino, but he eventually lost interest in the project. Brad Pitt then brought the idea to Fincher, who received Tarantino’s approval to direct it.
Details about the film’s plot remain scarce, but it centres on Pitt’s character, Cliff Booth, a Hollywood fixer in the 1970s. Reports suggest that Leonardo DiCaprio was offered a minor role but declined the opportunity.
While DiCaprio will not be returning, Timothy Olyphant is expected to reprise his role as James Stacy from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The film also features Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, Carla Gugino, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Peter Weller, Matt Groove, JB Tadena, Corey Fogelmanis, and Karren Karagulian.
Tarantino, meanwhile, continues his search for his next project. The director has stated that he will only make ten films to maintain a strong and concise filmography. In a recent interview with The Church of Tarantino podcast, he explained that he stepped away from The Adventures of Cliff Booth because it did not feel distinct enough from his previous work. He is now seeking a project that explores more uncharted territory for his final film.
