It's fair to say that a lot of cinephiles are pretty excited about Quentin Tarantino's latest project: Once Upon A Time in Hollywood - especially as it comes after The Hateful Eight, which got something of a lacklustre critical reception. However, I think everyone agrees that the subject matter of his latest flick is more up Tarantino's street.
The story is reportedly set in 1969, during the height of the Manson family's rampage through California. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Rick Dalton, former star of a cowboy TV show, while Brad Pitt will play the part of his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth. The two men are struggling to make ends meet in a Hippy Hollywood, and Rick has just moved next door to Sharon Tate (played by Margot Robbie) - the wife of director Roman Polanski, who was murdered on August 8 1969 by Charles Manson's followers.
Details on the movie, which is still being filmed, have been sparse so far. But now a number of images have leaked from the set of the film, which shows Pitt and DiCaprio in costume, looking distinctly different in their modish costumes. Pictures of Margo Robbie have also been taken by photographers, and the Australian actress can be seen wearing a prosthetic baby bump to portray Sharon Tate - who was two weeks away from giving birth at the time of her death.
Commenting on the project in a recent interview, Tarantino stated: "I’ve been working on this script for five years, as well as living in Los Angeles County most of my life, including in 1969, when I was seven years old. I’m very excited to tell this story of an LA and a Hollywood that don’t exist any more."
However, the movie has been the subject of controversy throughout its production, due to a number of allegations made about Tarantino’s behaviour as a director. In February, actress Uma Thurman stated that Tarantino and her had a major falling out over an injury she sustained in a stunt gone wrong during the filming of Kill Bill. Furthermore, Tarantino has also come under scrutiny from the Time's Up movement over his working relationship with disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by a number of actresses.
Not only this, but the casting of actor Emile Hirsch as hair stylist Jay Sebring has also caused outrage. Hirsch was convicted of assault in 2015, after he reportedly attempted to strangle a female Paramount executive Daniele Bernfeld in a drunken rage. As a result of his crimes, he was sentenced to 15 days in jail. He was also fined $4,750, received 90 days of probation, and ordered to undergo 50 hours of community service. It remains to be seen whether the movie will be able to rise about the controversy which has overshadowed its production, but it's clear that it will be something of an uphill struggle.
