Quentin Tarantino once declared he'd retire after 10 films—a vow that sounded romantic, like a gunslinger hanging up his spurs. But now? It's a straitjacket. And David Fincher just cut him loose.
The Mix-Up That Exposed the Problem
When whispers swirled about Tarantino shooting a secret project in L.A., fans erupted. Turns out, it was Fincher directing his script—a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel. A classic Hollywood bait-and-switch (sic). But the real story isn't the mix-up; it's why Tarantino needed a loophole.
The 10-Film Trap
QT's decade-old vow to quit after 10 films was supposed to be a flex—an artist going out on top. Instead, it's become a creative chokehold. Want proof? He's now writing a stage play “with no hurry” to adapt it, while Fincher gets to play in his sandbox.
Why It Backfired:
- Fear of Wasting the “Final” Slot: Tarantino's treating his 10th film like a bullet in a duel—one shot, make it count. So he's paralyzed.
- The Prestige Paradox: Like Scorsese clinging to The Irishman as his “legacy project,” QT's myth-making is eclipsing his output.
- Hollywood's Obsession With Round Numbers: Since when did directors become NBA jerseys? Retire at your peak, sure—but peak what? Arbitrary numerology?
The Fincher Fix
By handing off the sequel, Tarantino pulled a Pulp Fiction-esque twist: He's technically keeping his vow while letting Fincher do the heavy lifting. It's genius—or a cop-out. Depends who you ask.
Maybe the lesson isn't “quit at 10.” Maybe it's “stop counting.” Or better yet: Let Fincher direct all your leftovers. Hot take? Tarantino's final film won't be his best—just the one that lets him say, “I stuck to the bit.”
