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Quentin Tarantino is emerging from his creative hibernation after 2015’s The Hateful Eight. Word on the Hollywood street is that Tarantino is beginning to put pieces in motion for his next project that will examine the Manson Family murders. According to THR, he’s even begun talking with A-list actors about the project.
What’s Happening?
Tarantino is set to write and direct (as always) the untitled film while Harvey and Bob Weinstein are slated to produce (as always). Sources tell THR that WME is beginning to shop the movie to studios to co-finance and co-distribute alongside The Weinstein Company. This approach is similar to how the Weinsteins made Tarantino’s 2009 hit Inglorious Basterds, which saw Universal Studios come aboard as a financial and distributing partner.
According to the outlet, Tarantino is close to wrapping up his work on the script and that Brad Pitt, a Tarantino favorite from Basterds, and Jennifer Lawrence have been approached. Studios may get the package after Labor Day with a possible summer 2018 start date being eyed.
Script details are scarce at this early juncture, but one of the stories is aid to revolve around Sharon Tate, the actress and wife of director Roman Polanski who was murdered by Manson and his followers in 1969. Manson had ordered he followers to attack a house in the Benedict Canyon region of Los Angeles as he believed it was owned by a record producer who had previously rejected him.
On August 8, 1969, the four followers used guns and knives to brutally murder the eight months pregnant Tate and four other occupants. In 1971, Manson and several members of his group were sentenced to life imprisonment for these and several other murders committed that summer.
Why Does This Matter?
If the Manson project does indeed become Tarantino’s next film, it will be unique in that it will be the first of his movies to be based on true events. This may come as a disappoint to some fans who have enjoyed his original offerings such as Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained. In a blockbuster era saturated with franchises and reboots, Tarantino’s fresh ideas have always been welcomed.
However, the filmmaker is known for bringing his unique stylings to genre films such as crime, Westerns and blaxploitation. Now he may add true crime to the list in an Academy Awards styled fashion.
Tarantino has a special touch when it comes to creating memorable female characters such as the protagonist in Jackie Brown and the Bride in Kill Bill. If Lawrence is up for the role of Tate or another central female character, it could be very interesting.
