Quentin Tarantino is taking an unexpected detour from filmmaking, and his next creative endeavor won’t be on the big screen — at least, not yet. During an exclusive conversation with journalist Elvis Mitchell at Sundance, the Pulp Fiction director revealed that he’s currently writing a play.
"If you’re wondering what I’m doing right now," Tarantino shared with the packed audience, "I’m writing a play. It’s probably going to be the next thing I end up doing."
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean his return to film is off the table. Tarantino teased that if the play is a success, it could serve as the foundation for his final movie.
"If it’s a fiasco, I probably won’t turn it into a movie. But if it’s a smash hit? It might be my last movie."
A Shift from The Movie Critic
This revelation comes after months of speculation surrounding The Movie Critic, which was widely reported to be Tarantino’s tenth and final film. The project, which was expected to go into production in early 2025 with A-list talent attached — including Brad Pitt — was rumored to mark the filmmaker’s cinematic farewell following Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
While he didn’t completely shut the door on The Movie Critic, Tarantino made it clear that his priorities have shifted, particularly when it comes to his family.
Fatherhood Over Filmmaking — for Now
Tarantino explained that his hesitancy to jump back into directing stems from his role as a father to two young children. "I’m in no hurry to actually jump into production. I’ve been doing that for 30 years," he said.
"Next month my son turns five, and I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. When I’m in America, I’m writing. When I’m in Israel? I’m an abba, which means father."
He emphasized that he wants to wait until his son is at least six before he starts another film.
"The idea of jumping on a voyage when they’re too young to understand it is not enticing to me. I want to not do whatever movie I end up doing until my son is at least six. That way, he’ll know what’s going on, he’ll be there, and it will be a memory for the rest of his life."
For now, Tarantino’s fans will have to wait and see whether his stage project becomes his swan song — or the stepping stone to one last cinematic masterpiece.
