Surprise Super Bowl Teaser Debuts Cliff Booth’s Next Chapter
Netflix unveiled a surprise first look at The Adventures of Cliff Booth during Super Bowl LIX, giving viewers an early glimpse of Brad Pitt reprising his Oscar-winning role. The sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 hit Once Upon a Time in Hollywood centers on Cliff Booth — stuntman, fixer, and the film’s enigmatic antihero — as he embarks on a new story in late‑1960s/early‑1970s Los Angeles.
The spot leaned into a retro, grindhouse-inspired aesthetic. For the broadcast audience, Netflix substituted the trailer’s more explicit content with faux film scratches and censoring effects that obscure drug use, profanity, and nudity. The treatment plays up a vintage censorship vibe and aligns with the trailer’s pulpy, 1970s action beats, which are underscored by a cover of the classic Peter Gunn theme.
What the Trailer Reveals (and What It Keeps Quiet)
- Cliff stands apart from his former partner Rick Dalton, indicating the sequel follows Booth on his own terms.
- Elizabeth Debicki appears as Cliff’s new companion in whatever mischief or adventures lie ahead — the trailer teases chemistry and intrigue but offers no clear plot details.
- The tone is pulpy and stylish, with action-oriented set pieces, period production design, and a soundtrack that channels 1970s suspense.
- Netflix’s broadcast censorship suggests the film contains mature material, though the creative choice to mask it in the Super Bowl spot keeps the full intensity for later, wider releases.
Creative Team and Production Notes
The Adventures of Cliff Booth marks a notable creative shift for Quentin Tarantino: he wrote the screenplay but handed directing duties to David Fincher. This is the first time Tarantino has ceded the director’s chair for a script of his own since the 1990s. Fincher — known for his meticulous visual style and for helming titles that include Se7en, Zodiac and Fight Club — brings a different directorial sensibility to Tarantino’s material.
Producers attached to the project include Brad Pitt, Ceán Chaffin, David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh, Quentin Tarantino, and Stacey Sher.
Cast: Familiar Faces and New Additions
The film reunites Brad Pitt with the world of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, while assembling a strong supporting ensemble:
- Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth
- Timothy Olyphant returning in the role of James Stacy, the only character from the original film officially slated to return
- Elizabeth Debicki in a prominent new role opposite Pitt
- Scott Caan
- Yahya Abdul‑Mateen II
- Carla Gugino
- Holt McCallany
- Peter Weller
The decision to bring back just one familiar face reinforces that The Adventures of Cliff Booth intends to follow new narrative beats while remaining rooted in the same historical milieu.
Scale, Budget and Expectations
Reports indicate the production carries a budget north of $200 million, making it one of the most expensive projects for both Fincher and Tarantino. By comparison, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood earned roughly $392 million worldwide on a $96 million budget and secured Brad Pitt a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Given the pedigree of the filmmakers and the high-profile lead, expectations for the sequel are substantial on both creative and commercial fronts.
Where and When to Watch
Netflix has announced that The Adventures of Cliff Booth will be released in select theaters and on its streaming platform later this year. Exact release dates, full trailers, and additional plot details are expected in the coming months.
What to Watch For
- How Fincher’s direction reframes Tarantino’s voice and which stylistic elements each brings to the final film
- The dynamics between Cliff and Elizabeth Debicki’s character, and whether the story leans more into action, dark comedy, or suspense
- How the film addresses the aftermath of the events depicted in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
- Marketing materials that will reveal the film’s rating and the extent of the mature content hinted at in the Super Bowl spot
Stay tuned for more trailers, interviews, and official announcements as the release approaches.