Quentin Tarantino, the famous filmmaker, has always been clear about his intention to retire from filmmaking once he has directed ten films. As he prepares to make his tenth film, there is a lot of anticipation and curiosity about what his final film will be. However, Tarantino’s initial plan for his final film, “The Movie Critic,” was abandoned, leaving fans wondering about what could have been.
“The Movie Critic” was a film about a film critic from the 1970s during the New Hollywood era. The protagonist was a “cynical as hell” character inspired by a real person who was not famous. Although there were rumors that the character was based on Pauline Kael, a legendary film critic, Tarantino denied these claims.
The story was set to explore the early life of Paul Schrader, the writer of “Taxi Driver” and “First Reformed.” Schrader was a critic before he started working with Martin Scorsese. Tarantino’s film was rumored to include the original ending of Schrader’s “Rolling Thunder,” which was changed during filming.
The casting of “The Movie Critic” was shrouded in mystery, with only Brad Pitt’s name being circulated as a potential lead. Pitt would have reprised his role as Cliff Booth from “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.” However, there were also rumors that Tom Cruise, Olivia Wilde, and David Krumholtz would be part of the cast.
Quentin Tarantino (Via IMDB)
One of the most exciting aspects of “The Movie Critic” was the planned crossover with Tarantino’s earlier films. The film was set to include references to “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “Inglourious Basterds,” with the possibility of Travolta, Jamie Foxx, and Margot Robbie reprising their roles. Additionally, the film would have featured a movie theater where Tarantino’s characters could interact with a young Quentin Tarantino.
Although “The Movie Critic” would have been an unusual final film, it would have been an authentic representation of Tarantino’s personality and interests. Tarantino’s love for cinema and pop culture is evident in all of his films, making “The Movie Critic” a fitting conclusion to his career. However, the film was abandoned for unknown reasons, leaving fans wondering about the movie’s potential.
“The Movie Critic” was an exciting and ambitious film that showcased Tarantino’s love for cinema. Although the film was never made, it has left fans curious about the movie’s potential and the direction Tarantino will take for his final film. Regardless, Tarantino has left an indelible mark on the film industry, and his legacy will live on for generations.
