Quentin Tarantino Reveals New Details About the Subject of His Next Movie

During an interview at the Cannes Film Festival with Deadline, Quentin Tarantino spilled new details about his next film, The Movie Critic, including about who the subject of the film is.

While there was previously speculation that it would center on New Yorker critic Pauline Kael, Tarantino has already ruled that out. The Oscar-winning writer/director’s next project instead revolves around a second-string critic who wrote for a ‘70s “porno rag” magazine. He wouldn’t reveal the man’s name, but he did mention that he was “very, very funny” and that he “wrote like he was 55 but he was only in his early to mid-30s.”

Tarantino spoke candidly about his desire to tell this under-the-radar writer’s story, explaining to Deadline:

“I think he was a very good critic. He was as cynical as hell. His reviews were a cross between early Howard Stern and what Travis Bickle [Robert DeNiro’s character in Taxi Driver] might be if he were a film critic.” 

“I think he was a very good critic. He was as cynical as hell.

Tarantino was similarly tight-lipped about which magazine published this writer’s work. To further obscure the mystery publication, he concocted a fictionalized title for the movie: The Popstar Pages. 

Regarding the production itself, Tarantino mentioned that it is entering “pre-pre production” in Los Angeles in June and that he will need to cast a “new leading man.” Many of his go-to performers, including Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, are too old to play this particular part. 

“I haven’t decided yet but it’s going to be somebody in the 35 year-old ball park,” Tarantino admitted.

The Movie Critic was first revealed as Tarantino’s next project back in March. It’s also expected to be his final movie, as he previously said he would only direct 10 movies (he counts Kill Bill Parts 1 and 2 as one film) and this would fit the bill.

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