Al Pacino Joins ‘Once Upon A Time in Hollywood’

Even though we just heard about some new casting announcements from Quentin Tarantino‘s latest film just yesterday, it seems that the ever-growing cast of ‘Once Upon A Time in Hollywood‘ has recruited another legendary actor–Al Pacino. That’s right, Pacino is set to play Martin Shwarz, the agent of Leonardo DiCaprio’s washed-up TV actor Rick Dalton who used to star in westerns. Although the report (via Variety) doesn’t say how big Pacino’s role would be in the film, it’s easy to assume that it’s more of a bit part and less of a leading role.

Regardless of how big the role is, the Prospect of Tarantino working with Pacino is supremely promising to say the least. At the same time, it’s hard to predict what the role might incur since we don’t reallyy know much about the project. The film, which Tarantino is writing, producing and directing is apparently set in Los Angeles during the infamous “Summer of Love” in 1969. Even though it was first thought the film would focus on Margot Robbie‘s Sharon Tate and her murder by the devious Manson clan, it seems that the film is actually shaping up to be more of an ensemble piece.

‘Once Upon A Time in Hollywood‘ has been described as a “‘Pulp Fiction‘-esque film that features several inter-connected narratives”. Although Tarantino is keeping the project under lock & key, he did have this to say about the project:

[quote]“It takes place during the 1969 Hollywood era at the height of the counterculture explosion, at the time of the hippie revolution,” Tarantino said. “During the summer, little by little, block by block, we’ll be transforming Los Angeles in the psychedelic Hollywood of 1969.”[/quote]

It’s hard to believe that the cast for this film might grow to be even more epic than it already is, but considering the vast nature of the story, i’d be willing to bet that Tarantino isn’t done casting just yet. Until then, ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ opens on August 9, 2019. In the meantime, here’s a handy list that the folks over at Slashfilm compiled of all the major casting announcements so far:

• Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, a washed-up Western TV star struggling to stay relevant in Hollywood.
• Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth, Rick’s longtime friend and stunt-double.
• Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, the actress who was murdered by members of Charles Manson’s cult. She also just happens to be Rick’s next door neighbor in the film.
• Burt Reynolds as George Spahn, the man who rented his ranch out to Manson. (Learn more about Spahn here.)
• Kurt Russell, Tim Roth, and Michael Madsen, all in currently undisclosed supporting roles.
• Timothy Olyphant (maybe), in an undisclosed role.
• Damian Lewis as actor Steve McQueen.
• Dakota Fanning as Manson Family disciple Squeaky Fromme, who later tried to assassinate President Gerald Ford.
• Nicholas Hammond as actor and director Sam Wanamaker.
• Emile Hirsch as Manson Family victim Jay Sebring.
• Luke Perry as Scotty Lancer, who may or may not be based on a television actor of the same name.
• Clifton Collins Jr. as a character named  Ernesto The Mexican Vaquero.
• Keith Jefferson as Land Pirate Keith.