History of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in Timeline
Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, directed by Quentin Tarantino, unfolds in 1969 Los Angeles. It centers on Rick Dalton, a declining actor, and his loyal stunt double, Cliff Booth, as they grapple with Hollywood's evolution. Simultaneously, the film portrays Sharon Tate's life. The narrative weaves together their experiences against the backdrop of the Manson Family's activities, culminating in an alternate historical fiction where the Manson Family's plans are thwarted, offering a revisionist take on the infamous Tate murders.
1959: Manson Family Car Model
In 1959, the 1959 Ford Galaxie driven by the Manson Family is a detailed replica of the car used in the Tate–LaBianca murders.
1964: Car Model of Cliff Booth
In 1964, The car Cliff Booth drives is a 1964 blue Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible. It is the same year, color, make and model of the car that Beatrix "the Bride" Kiddo (Uma Thurman) drives in Kill Bill: Volume 2.
1966: Car Model of Rick Dalton
In 1966, Rick Dalton's 1966 Cadillac de Ville is the same car driven by Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) in Reservoir Dogs.
February 1969: Rick Dalton's Struggles
In February 1969, Hollywood actor Rick Dalton copes with his fading career, considering working in spaghetti Westerns. His stunt double, Cliff Booth, struggles to find work amid rumors. Dalton is aware that Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski live next door and hopes to befriend them to reignite his career.
March 1969: Charles Manson Visits the Polanski Residence
In March 1969, Charles Manson showed up at the house Rudolph Altobelli rented to Polanski and Tate, looking for Terry Melcher.
August 8, 1969: Confrontation with Manson's Followers
On August 8, 1969, after drinking with Cliff Booth, Rick Dalton confronts Manson's followers who arrive to murder the Tate house occupants. Dalton orders them off the street, and recognizing him, they decide to kill him instead.
1969: Setting Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
In 1969, Quentin Tarantino decided to have Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth be Sharon Tate's next-door neighbors for the movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
1969: Recreating 1969 Los Angeles
In 1969, Tarantino aimed to recreate Los Angeles for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood without computer-generated imagery, relying on collaborators and historical set design.
1969: Reimagining history in 1969
In 1969, Tarantino used revisionist storytelling to create a "joyride" through the darker moments of Hollywood's past, allowing characters like Dalton to find symbolic redemption amid the backdrop of a reimagined 1969.
1969: Look of 1969 Hollywood
In 1969, Tarantino's vision for the look of Hollywood in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was told through the memory of a child.
1969: Filming Bounty Law and Lancer
In 1969, the way Lancer was filmed for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was not possible, but Tarantino wanted his personal touch on it. For Bounty Law they shot in black and white, and brief sequences in Super 8 and 16mm Ektachrome.
1969: Filming at the Playboy Mansion
Though the film is set in 1969, the Playboy Mansion scene in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was shot at the actual mansion, despite it being acquired by Playboy until 1971, creating an anachronism.
1970: Boeing 747s Time
Boeing 747s are used in several airliner scenes, but were not in commercial use until 1970; the film is set in 1969.
1970: Wildfire at Spahn Ranch
In 1970, a wildfire completely destroyed Spahn Ranch. The scenes for the movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood were filmed at nearby Corriganville Movie Ranch in Simi Valley.
1971: Playboy Acquired the Mansion
Though the film is set in 1969, in 1971, the Playboy Mansion was acquired. The Playboy Mansion scene in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was shot at the actual mansion, despite it being acquired by Playboy until 1971, creating an anachronism.
1972: Lee statement on Muhammad Ali
In 1972, Lee himself stated: "Everybody says I must fight Ali some day. ... Look at my hand. That's a little Chinese hand. He'd kill me."
1975: Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew
In 1975, Lee's widow, Linda, wrote in her book Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew that he could beat Muhammad Ali.
1978: Polanski directed Tess
In 1978 Polanski directed the film adaptation, Tess (1979), dedicating it to Tate.
1979: Polanski directed Tess
In 1979 Polanski directed the film adaptation, Tess (1979), dedicating it to Tate.
1980: Inspiration from The Stunt Man
In 1980, the Richard Rush film The Stunt Man inspired Quentin Tarantino to use sequences from Rick Dalton's films for the action in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
1994: Tate-Polanski House Razed
In 1994, the Tate-Polanski house on Cielo Drive was razed. Scenes involving the house in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood were filmed at three different locations around Los Angeles.
July 11, 2017: Film About Manson Murders
On July 11, 2017, it was reported that Tarantino's next film would be about the Manson murders. Tarantino approached Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lawrence for roles and Margot Robbie was being considered for the role of Sharon Tate.
July 2017: Announcement of Tarantino's Film
In July 2017, Quentin Tarantino announced his next film, marking his first without Bob and Harvey Weinstein, following allegations against Harvey Weinstein. Sony Pictures Releasing later distributed the film after a bidding war.
November 11, 2017: Sony Pictures to Distribute
On November 11, 2017, Sony Pictures announced they would distribute Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, meeting Tarantino's demands including a $95 million budget, final cut privilege, and creative control.
January 2018: DiCaprio Joins Cast
In January 2018, Leonardo DiCaprio signed on to star in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, taking a reduced salary for the opportunity to work with Tarantino again.
February 28, 2018: Film Titled and Pitt Cast
On February 28, 2018, the film was officially titled Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Brad Pitt was cast as Cliff Booth.
March 2018: Robbie Cast as Tate
In March 2018, Margot Robbie signed to co-star as Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Zoë Bell confirmed her appearance in the film.
May 2018: Burt Reynolds Cast as George Spahn
In May 2018, Burt Reynolds was cast as George Spahn in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but died before filming. He did a rehearsal and script reading, which became his last performance.
May 2018: Roth, Russell, and Madsen Join Cast
In May 2018, Tim Roth, Kurt Russell, and Michael Madsen joined the cast of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
June 2018: Casting of Actors
Between January and June 2018, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Zoë Bell, Kurt Russell and others joined the cast of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Principal photography then began around Los Angeles.
June 2018: Additional Cast Members Announced
In June 2018, Damian Lewis, Luke Perry, Emile Hirsch, Dakota Fanning, Clifton Collins Jr., Keith Jefferson, Nicholas Hammond, Al Pacino, and Scoot McNairy joined the cast of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
June 18, 2018: Principal Photography Begins
On June 18, 2018, principal photography for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood began in Los Angeles, California.
August 2018: Casting of Herriman and Dunham
In August 2018, Damon Herriman was cast as Charles Manson, and Lena Dunham, Austin Butler, Danny Strong, Rafał Zawierucha, Rumer Willis, Dreama Walker, and Margaret Qualley were cast in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
November 1, 2018: Principal Photography Wraps
On November 1, 2018, principal photography for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood wrapped.
2018: Lee Biography
In 2018, in Bruce Lee: A Life, Lee's biographer Matthew Polly wrote, Lee would jump-kick people on the set.
March 4, 2019: Death of Luke Perry
On March 4, 2019, Luke Perry passed away. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which features Luke Perry, is dedicated to his memory.
March 20, 2019: Teaser Trailer Release
On March 20, 2019, a teaser trailer for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was released, featuring 1960s music by the Mamas and the Papas ("Straight Shooter") and Los Bravos ("Bring a Little Lovin'").
May 21, 2019: Premiere at Cannes Film Festival
On May 21, 2019, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.
July 26, 2019: Theatrical Release in the US
On July 26, 2019, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was theatrically released in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing.
August 5, 2019: Four-Hour Cut Possible
On August 5, 2019, it was announced that a four-hour cut of the film may be coming to Netflix.
August 9, 2019: Original Release Date
August 9, 2019 was the original release date scheduled for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Tate–LaBianca murders.
October 2019: Theatrical Release of Extended Cut
In October 2019, an extended cut of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was released theatrically, including an appearance by James Marsden as Burt Reynolds and a voiceover by Walton Goggins. Additional scenes featuring Danny Strong as Dean Martin and Tim Roth as Raymond were cut.
October 18, 2019: China Release Cancelled
On October 18, 2019, China cancelled the release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, one week before its release date there.
October 25, 2019: Extended Cut Release
On October 25, 2019, an extended cut of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, featuring four additional scenes, was released in theaters.
November 22, 2019: Digital Release
On November 22, 2019, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was released through digital retailers.
2019: Release of Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood
In 2019, Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, a comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, was released. The film, set in 1969 Los Angeles, follows a fading actor and his stunt double navigating the film industry amid the Tate murders.
2019: Interest in Bounty Law TV Series
In 2019, Tarantino expressed interest in creating a Bounty Law television series based on five half-hour scripts he wrote in preparation for the film and that he plans on writing three more episodes.
2019: Accolades Received in 2019
In 2019, The National Board of Review included the film as one of the top 10 films of the year and awarded Tarantino Best Director and Pitt Best Supporting Actor. The American Film Institute included it as one of the top 10 films of the year.
January 3, 2020: Extended Cut Confirmation
On January 3, 2020, Collider confirmed the extended-cut of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood would probably be available in approximately one year.
February 2020: Listed as Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars
In February 2020, New York Magazine listed Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as among "The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars."
April 2020: Home Media Awards
In April 2020, Media Play News magazine announced Once Upon a Time in Hollywood earned Title of the Year and Best Theatrical Home release in the 10th annual Home Media Awards.
November 2020: Book Deal Signed
In November 2020, Tarantino signed a two-book deal with HarperCollins.
June 2021: Stage Adaptation Planned
In June 2021, Tarantino announced his plan to produce a stage adaptation of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He already wrote the play, which takes place in Italy.
June 2021: Second Novel Announcement
In June 2021, Tarantino revealed he wrote and plans to publish a second novel connected to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood about the films of Rick Dalton.
June 2021: Extended Cut Release Timeframe
In June 2021, Tarantino said the extended cut would probably be released "in a couple of years." It will be around three hours and 20 minutes and be released theatrically.
June 29, 2021: Novel Adaptation Published
On June 29, 2021, Tarantino published his first novel, an adaptation of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
August 6, 2021: Twin Atlantic Releases Themed Music Video
On August 6, 2021, the rock band Twin Atlantic released a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood-themed music video for their song "Bang On the Gong," with lead singer, Sam McTrusty taking inspiration from Rick Dalton.
2021: Novelization Published
In 2021, Quentin Tarantino's novelization of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, marking his debut as an author, was published.
April 2025: Sequel Announcement
In April 2025, it was reported that David Fincher had been hired to direct a sequel, with Netflix acquiring the film's screenplay from Tarantino.
Mentioned in this timeline
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