The new film is not expected to be a direct sequel but rather a character-based continuation derived from the original. Brad Pitt is reportedly set to return as stuntman Cliff Booth, with speculation that Leonardo DiCaprio may also reprise his role as fading actor Rick Dalton. Tarantino, who directed the original, is said to be involved only as writer this time around.
Although the news first emerged internationally on April 1, industry insiders suggest the project is legitimate and in active development. The potential collaboration between Fincher and Tarantino—two of Hollywood’s most distinctive filmmakers—has sparked strong buzz among fans and film circles.
While Once Upon a Time in Hollywood boasted marquee names, several then-unknown actors portraying members of the Manson Family have since broken out in major ways. Here’s a look at five rising stars who got a key early boost from the film—and where they are now.
Shortly after, she landed the role of Cassie on HBO’s Euphoria, portraying a vulnerable teen navigating trauma and relationships. She also starred in The White Lotus Season 1 and became one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood.
Sweeney has since taken control of her career as a producer. Despite poor critical reception for her superhero outing Madame Web, she said the film allowed her to secure a deal with Sony and develop the 2023 romantic comedy Anyone But You, which became a surprise summer hit.
In interviews, Sweeney has spoken fondly of her time on Tarantino’s set, likening it to “a Tarantino summer camp,” and describing a barefoot, creative, and collaborative experience that deepened her passion for film.
Afterward, she starred in Netflix’s Maid, playing a young mother fleeing an abusive relationship, earning a Golden Globe nomination. Her real-life mother, Andie MacDowell, played her onscreen mother in the show, adding emotional depth to the performance.
Qualley has since worked across genres, including roles in Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness. A classically trained dancer, she made waves at the Oscars with a Bond-inspired performance. She’s married to acclaimed producer Jack Antonoff, known for his collaborations with Taylor Swift and his band Bleachers.
That same summer, she gained major visibility as Robin in Netflix’s Stranger Things, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Since then, she’s taken on roles in Netflix’s Do Revenge, the Oscar-nominated Maestro, and voiced a key character in Inside Out 2.
In interviews, Hawke has acknowledged the privilege of her background, saying, “I’m aware that’s part of how I got in, but I work hard to prove I deserve to stay.”
She has also launched a music career, releasing three albums as a singer-songwriter, and will appear in the upcoming final season of Stranger Things.
Mikey Madison played one of the film’s most memorable Manson girls—Sadie—who meets a fiery end courtesy of a flamethrower in one of the film’s signature scenes. Before Tarantino cast her, Madison was mostly unknown aside from a role on Better Things.
The performance caught the attention of critics and filmmakers alike. Madison later appeared in Scream (2022), again in a violent and memorable role, but her true breakout came in 2024’s Anora, directed by Sean Baker.
In Anora, Madison played a Brooklyn stripper who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. The role earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress at just 25, making her one of the youngest winners in the category’s history.
“Quentin changed my life,” Madison said in a post-Oscar interview. “He saw something in me no one else did.”
Rounding out the list is Austin Butler, who played Tex Watson, the Manson follower who leads the attempted murder at the film’s climax. At the time, Butler was known mostly for small TV roles and teen dramas.
His career soon skyrocketed when he was cast as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination. He has since starred in The Bikeriders alongside Tom Hardy and joined the cast of Dune: Part Two as the villainous Feyd-Rautha.
Reflecting on his time with Tarantino, Butler recalled the director’s infectious energy. “Every time Quentin liked a take, he’d shout, ‘You know why we’re doing one more? Because we love making movies!’ And the whole crew would cheer. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
