If you’ve been following the trajectory of this project, then you know what good news we may be in for. Earlier this year, Tarantino announced that his followup to Django Unchained would be the spaghetti-western The Hateful Eight. However, soon after this news, the script to the film was leaked online and Tarantino became so offended by this that he announced he would not film the script. Recently, he announced a live reading of the script would occur, which took place on Saturday this past weekend. Variety reports that due to the positive reception that Tarantino may just continue to work on the script.
Tarantino started by clarifying “This is only the first draft,” and added that the final chapter titled “Black Night, White Hell” would be altered and this would be the only time it would be seen in its existing form.
He then brought out the cast of “The Tarantino Superstars” which consisted of several past Tarantino collaborators including Samuel L. Jackson as Major Marquis Warren, James Parks as the driver O.B., Kurt Russell as bounty hunter John “The Hangman” Ruth, Amber Tamblyn as Daisy Domergue, a woman who is being transported by Ruth, Walton Goggins as Chris Mannix, Tim Roth as Oswaldo Mobray, Michael Madsen as John Gage, Bruce Dern as a Confederate General by the name of Smithers, Dana Gourrier as Minnie, Zoe Bell as Six Horse Judy and James Remar as Jody. Variety provided the character names and descriptions and also reports that a few of the actors read multiple roles.
Tarantino interjected throughout with narration, shot descriptions and the layout of settings. While the event certainly sounded like a great rare opportunity to attend, it has been reported this may not be the last we see of The Hateful Eight. Variety reports that Tarantino claimed that he will write a second and third draft. His enthusiasm indicates that the film may actually go before cameras. The Film Stage adds in their report that Tarantino will actually film the script this fall, indicating he has gone back on his word to never film it.
Conflicting reports like this always make me uncomfortable. Variety indicates that Tarantino will continue to work on the script, but made no mention that he would be filming it. This makes me approach The Film Stage’s report with a little caution. It is important to remember that back when the leak fiasco happened, Tarantino talked about the possibility of just publishing the script and leaving it at that. With that in mind, it is entirely possible that the upcoming drafts of the screenplay will only be for publishing a final product. I am a big fan of Tarantino, and it would be a delight to see this film and him diving full tilt into the Spaghetti-Western genre, something that had a great aesthetic influence on his last film Django Unchained. Here is hoping that we will hear definitive word from Tarantino on the fate of The Hateful Eight sooner rather than later.
Source: Variety, The Film Stage
