Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, the long-anticipated spin-off from Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and the cut promises the gleeful, old-school cool that Tarantino’s signature style is known for. The two-minute teaser follows former Hollywood stuntman Cliff Booth, once again portrayed by Brad Pitt, as he takes on a series of violent odd jobs for the film industry in 1977, eight years after the events of the original film. The trailer’s arrival signals the project’s firm step toward production, and it also reopens one of the most contentious moments in Tarantino’s filmography: the infamous beating of Bruce Lee.
Set in 1977, the spin-off picks up well after the original’s narrative, which itself followed Cliff as he crossed paths with an infamous Manson cult during the turbulent final days of the 1960s. The new trailer leans into the character’s willingness to get his hands dirty, showcasing the kind of stylized brutality and retro swagger that has defined Tarantino’s body of work. The clip’s most electric moment arrives when it directly references the original film’s most controversial scene, setting the stage for what could be a deliberate callback or a fresh provocation.
A Trailer That Reopens the Bruce Lee Debate
Among the trailer’s most notable beats is its pointed nod to the original movie’s depiction of Bruce Lee, a scene that has drawn criticism for years. The Bruce Lee estate and other observers objected to Lee’s portrayal as an unlikable poser who is soundly defeated by Cliff. Defenders of the film argued that Cliff functioned as an unreliable narrator and that the fight was never meant to be taken literally. Tarantino, however, weighed in on the controversy at the time, describing Bruce Lee as “kind of an arrogant” guy. The new trailer appears to lean into that same energy, suggesting the sequel may revisit the character’s combative streak with the same unapologetic flair.
The reference is unlikely to be the only source of friction. Tarantino has recently found himself at the center of another controversy after publicly calling out actor Paul Dano for “ruining” the classic film There Will Be Blood. Such comments have drawn criticism from fans and colleagues alike, and the trailer’s willingness to poke at sensitive territory suggests the director has no intention of softening his approach for a franchise built on provocative storytelling.
Fincher at the Helm, Tarantino Behind the Script
The project marks a notable shift in the creative lineup. David Fincher is directing The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, making it the third consecutive film he has helmed for Netflix, following Mank (2020) and The Killer (2023). Meanwhile, Tarantino, who both directed and wrote the original Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has penned the screenplay for the sequel. This marks the first film Tarantino has written but not directed since From Dusk Till Dawn in 1996.
Brad Pitt, who plays Cliff Booth, explained the arrangement in an interview with Deadline, noting that Tarantino “didn’t want to direct it,” which is why Fincher stepped in. While Tarantino has not publicly confirmed the reasoning behind his decision to step back from the director’s chair, one plausible explanation lies in his well-documented “10 film rule.” The director has long pledged that once he reaches 10 films behind the camera, he will retire from directing. He is technically already at 10, though his own count differs, as he considers Kill Bill a single film split into two volumes. This may well be the moment he begins winding down his directorial career while still contributing to the franchise as a writer.
The ensemble is equally stacked. Beyond Pitt’s return as Cliff Booth, the film features Elizabeth Debicki of The Crown, Scott Caan of Ocean’s Eleven, Carla Gugino of Sin City and The Fall of the House of Usher, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II of Wonder Man, among others.
Looking Ahead
The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth will receive an exclusive IMAX theatrical run beginning November 25, 2026, lasting two weeks before it lands on Netflix for streaming on December 23, 2026. The extended theatrical window is a deliberate move, ensuring the film gets a proper cinematic experience before reaching the streaming platform. As the trailer continues to circulate, fans are eager to see how the sequel balances nostalgia with the fresh, violent energy that has made Tarantino’s original a cult classic, and whether Fincher’s meticulous visual style will complement the director’s signature dialogue.
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