I was surprised, two weekends ago, when Quentin Tarantino announced his engagement. He had always maintained that he was waiting to get married and start a family until after he had made ten films (and only ten films). The Hateful Eight was his eighth film, and I wondered if he had anything in the pipeline for his ninth, possibly something that could get done before he got married. Well, as it turns out, Tarantino’s next film is probably going to be about Charles Manson and the Manson Family murders. Oh…no. I’m not feeling it. I tried to read Helter Skelter and it freaked me out too much. LA during that time period was like the Wild West. While the subject might be interesting as a documentary, imagining it as a Tarantino-esque drama makes me feel queasy. Now, all that being said, it sounds like his casting choices are somewhat interesting.
Word has gotten out that Quentin Tarantino’s next film will be a drama revolving around the Manson Family murders. Deadline has heard that Tarantino met with Margot Robbie to potentially play Sharon Tate, the actress wife of director Roman Polanski who was slain in 1969 in a brutal murder whose savagery shocked the country.
I’ve also heard that Samuel L. Jackson likely also will play a lead in the film, not a surprise since he is to Tarantino what Clarence Clemons was to Bruce Springsteen. A report in THR posited Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds star Brad Pitt (and Deadline hears he’s being courted to play the detective investigating the murder) as well as possibly Jennifer Lawrence.
Clearly word of this has gotten out before Tarantino was ready, but every project by the writer-director is major news. No one is confirming anything at this point, and I don’t think any roles have been promised yet. Robbie will reprise in Suicide Squad 2, which now is courting Jaume Collet-Serra to direct at Warner Bros, and she starred in and produced I, Tonya, playing disgraced Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding.
Nobody has read the new script, so all this is a bit liquid at the moment. I just hope Tarantino watermarks the scripts this time before showing them to his potential cast! Stay tuned. The film will shoot next summer.
Samuel Jackson is extremely talented, but wouldn’t “the lead” of the film be Charles Manson? Sam cannot play Manson!!! Brad Pitt playing the cop investigating the murders… that would be interesting, and I don’t hate it. Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate is rather obvious, because they look so much alike AND because Margot Robbie is The New Jennifer Lawrence, in that everybody wants to cast Margot in everything. Imagine putting Margot and J-Law in the same movie? Hollywood would implode.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
If it’s glittery no. But if it’s raw like Django then yes. I never was interested in the whole Manson thing until I listened to the You Must Remember This podcast Manson series and it blew me away how many Hollywood players were intertwined in this story.
Agree that the You Must Remember this podcast did a phenomenal job recounting this. Disagree that this is a good idea at all. Tarantino is all about stylized, heightened violence, even in Django. Plus those were fictional characters. This feels explotive of real people and will only embolden the serial killer groupies. Tarantino’s Manson!
Sharon Tate begged repeatedly for her unborn child’s life before being butchered. I’m going to say that again; Sharon Tate begged repeatedly for her unborn child’s life before being butchered. She asked them to hold her prisoner until her child was born and then kill her. That was her desperatation. There is no entertainment here. Anything less than a dead serious take is just a gross thought.
Still want to see a Tarantino take on this? Ugh.
Mia I agree with you 100%. This was also my first thougt. Tarantino can only do Tarantino. This will make this whole thing “cool”.
I agree that making his usual bloody murder porn out of the Manson murders would be tasteless. The victims still have family and friends who would be around to see this or at least read about it.
So if he can bring himself to tone it down and make it about remembering the humanity of the victims, then ok. But that’s not his usual thing. Hmmm…
Count me out,also. I have been thinking about this since I first heard it. I may be the only one on CB today who was alive back then. I was 17, brought in the Sunday paper and saw the headlines. I was already a film buff and knew all about Tate and Polanski. I have always been haunted by the crimes. You have no idea of the shock of this at the time. It exploded the whole “strangers meeting in peace and love” ethos of the age. As I have taught literature and film for decades, I usually say art can be made about anything. With Tarantino’s approach, no way. Read HELTER SKLELTER by the prosecutor in the case [I met him years ago at a speaking engagement.]
As always Mia4s, you bring it the **** on.👊👏
Thanks @Amide. This just infuriates me so much. Maybe it’s because I work in the legal system but I’m particularly sensitive to this “suffering as entertainment” kick people seem to get on. Not just that but on top of everything else, Manson was a virulent racist who essentially thought of People of Colour as subhuman. His goal was to frame Black men for the murders and help trigger a race war. Given the current climate do we really need to have his disgusting racism swirling about yet again?
Nope, third ginger, I was 24 at the time, and it was very vivid to me because of my slight one degree of separation from Sharon Tate.
Manson should just die already and be shoveled into an unmarked grave.
Hi, Jerusha. Could not agree more. There’s been more than enough “fascination” with Manson.
Yes exactly. I’ve read stories about this in Vanity Fair and other articles. Could not bring myself to read Helter Skelter. The sheer violence of how those poor people died turned me off to the whole thing.
Wasn’t there a movie called Helter Skelter? I vaguely remembered ads for this when I was a child. Yeah I was too young to actually remember this.
Um, what? I just think there is a very large story to tell, one that I was not aware of until I heard the podcast. I don’t think anyone would want to see the depiction of what is no doubt one of the most horrific incidents ever, even in Katrina’s even keeled voice it was difficult to listen to. I don’t disagree about the gore and violence that Tarrantino shows, but i was thinking more about the storytelling aspect.
Not on board either. My older children were into American Horror Story and it bothered me to know that it drew on very real events. This is even worse as, knowing Tarantino, whose way of dealing with violence irks me, it will be a gore fest of epic proportions. I have stopped watching his films a long time ago.
It would be interesting to have an insightful era-oriented perspective on how that affected the momentum of hippie and beatnik philosophies as one of the posters hints. Other than that, no way.
I think the world and the USA in particular is suffering from a very irresponsible way of dealing with our narratives, forgetting that stories not only reflect mentalities but also affects them. I was reading something about the BBC murder serials where there is always a beautiful murdered woman, or a sexually liberated woman who ends up crazy or murdered. There is definitely a very upsetting subtext in there.
slowsnow, I think I mentioned that the murders are said to have been the death knell of the image of hippie peace and love. At the time in Hollywood and in much less glamorous places, people had parties and admitted strangers off the street. This is how Manson interacted with several famous musicians. Another interesting element [and yes, it has been explored in books and documentaries] is the way in which the murders highlighted stranger attacks and random killings [of course, through a weird series of coincidences Manson knew the house where Sharon lived but none of the people] The La Bianca slayings were totally random. Is the whole case fascinating? Of course. However, I remain with those who think that non-fiction books and documentaries do the best job with this.
Agree with third ginger on this. When translated to film there is a certain glamorization that goes on, no matter how disgusting the protagonist is. Manson was a career criminal who fancied himself an artist. He sent his cultists to the house to kill Terry Melcher, Doris Day’s son, who was a record producer. He thought Melcher had stiffed him on a record deal. But TM no longer lived there. The La Bianca’s had been murdered as a diversionary tactic. Manson’s real motive was monetary, not a grand kill the pigs hippie vision. He was/is a POS who snakecharmed vulnerable kids and for some reason still lures people. Just a couple of years ago a young woman was engaged to him and almost married him. Like I said above, he should just die. The taxpayers of California have paid enough for him.
@Thirdginger You have a point. I have been thinking a lot about images (abstract and mimetic) in my work and how they are not always the best way to tell a story. That is why some things are stronger told: I listen to podcasts, This American Life being a favorite and certain very graphic, horrendous things do not go well with images or reenactments as they do when they are told, sometimes by the people involved and serious specialists.
What I meant by the backdrop – and that you explain so we’ll – would be more of a film about the era and not specifically about the murders. The Master, by Paul Thomas Anderson for instance, was apparently a strange amagalm of Scientology and Steinbeck. It made one think of power and manipulation as well as of feeble minded or vulnerable people in a broader way than if it had been about the founder of Scientology in a sensationalist way. Moreover, I have always thought that Tarantino trivializes violence.
@Jerusha – That woman who wanted to marry Manson was doing so in order to have him stuffed and showcase his body after his death with a traveling exhibit. She used him and bought him off by buying things for him in the prison shop or whatever. He tried to save face when he found out about it and said that he used her to buy him things and then he broke it off when he got bored of her.
I completely agree with what I’ve read in the comments so far. Tarantino would make the story glamourize what they did, and that’s not something that I’d want to see.
It actually is a very intricate story. Not just a cult guy killing people. Still, Manson been a lot overdone. Maybe pick a less known American history story?
Shout out for “you must remember this”… best podcast about hollywood the manson series was amazing, “the episode” about the murders was horrific. Hard pass on making a movie of it, UNLESS it was a movie about everything but showing the crime, fascinating story, no need for murder porn for a true story.
Margot Robbie is the new Jennifer Lawrence?
Hilarious
Yea I’m wondering when I missed that.
In terms of heat, yes. I can see she and Lawrence getting all of the scripts first.
Kaiser isn’t wrong thought. Yes of course Jennifer is still the superstar of her generation but she already lost the Marian role to Robbie. You should check her imbd page it’s full for 2 years. I would not be surprised if she won an oscar in 2 or 3 years and she’s already pretty popular even if it’s not close to Lawrence popularity.
It’s even more impressive when you factor in that Robbie is the older of the two. And in ageist Hollywood no less!!😲
There’s no way Jennifer Lawrence was ever seriously interested in the Marion role. Another defiant female archer role?? But Robbie is certainly pulling in the roles – even if they’re not yet as juicy in acting terms as Lawrence’s.
Robbie can actually act. Lawrence is a one note instrument, imo.
This has great potential.
Nope! Read the book (disturbing) Saw the movie (disturbing as well). Manson and his followers were horrible freaks even without the drugs & I’m glad they are where they are until the day they die. I’m a Tarantino fan, but he tends to glorify violence and I’m a bit worried about the current climate of America where people out there have little issue with copying people like Manson after seeing it on the big screen.
I hope the Tate and Folger families (one of the other victims was the heir to Folger coffee) sue to stop this stupid movie.
This. With how attractive Tate was, there’s no way Tarantino will be able to resist his murder porn tendencies. With bare feet and sexy music to boot, no doubt. He ought to be stopped.
Wasn’t Sharon Tate statuesque? Robbie seems to be on the shorter/stocky side. Maybe I’m wrong?
I would prefer an unknown for the Tate role, – if need be – but I get that studios may not be so keen to finance that situation.
On another note I feel uneasy, as I suspect the Tarantino take will glorify & glamorise the violence; numbing the genuine fear and brutality those 4 people suffered.
I am morbidly fascinated by the Manson family, crimes were committed a year before I was born.
I would watch.
Morbidly fascinated by cult leaders and Manson was a cult leader. How do they do it and convince other people to follow them 100% creepy but still fascinating in a way as to how these people mind control others and sometimes even lead countries.
I’m not sure how I feel about it. The way they all died was horrible enough – I don’t want to see Tarantino come in and do one of his usual style over substance (and I say that as a fan) movies that has a great soundtrack and interesting characters but is just a blood and guts spectacle that cracks everyone up because it makes for good movie quotes. And like, in his fictional movies that’s great. But these are real people.
I would just hate to see him come up with something that is disrespectful to their memories.
His style, in the recent decade, has tended towards being grand guignol with a heavy dark comedy accent. So for this I’d say no, I think, unless he dials down some of his follies.
I, personally, don’t think Margot Robbie looks like Sharon Tate. Rose Byrne does, facially, but she’s probably too old for Hollywood’s consideration as she’s in her late 30s. Samantha Robinson, from The Love Witch, would also be good casting for Sharon Tate.
Agree. He leans towards wry humor in all his films. I can’t see that working on a true murder story.
We don’t need yet another exploitative retelling. We have exhausted the senselessness of these murders. Is Tarantino going to resist being overly graphic and sensationalist? Who is this movie for, anyone old enough to remember it, or in my case, grown up with the story of it, is over it. Is he aiming for the millenial market then, a new generation to sell these tragic grisly murders to? I am surprised he would be THIS tacky to be honest. Manson has lived off of the infamy and will no doubt enjoy getting attention again, which sickens me. Just let the poor woman and the other victims rest in peace. There is no human interest in the Manson cult, it was barbaric and senseless and drug fuelled, the end. More sensitive films about cult mentalities have already been made, I highly doubt Tarantino has the self restraint or nuance to make this anything other than deeply offensive.
Well said.
I agree.
To answer your question, yes the movie would be for the new generation such as myself who aren’t THAT familiar with his infamy.
Have you read HELTER SKELTER? That would be a way to get accurate information. It was written by Vincent Buglisoi, the man who put Manson and the “family” in prison.
Tarantino is known for his subtle yet tasteful use of blood, his nuanced and though-provoking dialogue, so a story about how a group of people are viciously slaughtered is a perfect vehicle for him. Please note that the previous sentence is full of sarcasm.
Listen, I love almost all of his films but this film is unnecessary. This story has been told so many times I honestly don’t know what new angle he could take on it that would not be exploitative. Having said that I will play the casting game: Rose Byrne should be Sharon. She is an underrated actress with oodles of talent and has a similar essence as Sharon. The HAIM sisters should be cast as the female Manson followers. Please just cast anyone other than Jennifer “I am so real that I fart real things” Lawrence and I am good as gold. I cannot think of anyone who can play Charles. Charles Manson’s son looks almost exactly like him but I don’t think he should play his own father. Someone small and wiry with brownish black hair and “crazy” eyes.
Why won’t he make Kill Bill 3 or another revenge film in that universe? Vernita’s daughter should be old enough now to take revenge on the Bride or go after the Bride’s daughter.
I believe Sharon’s sister has been very critical of documentary/tv/film projects in the past (there was a low budget TV film several years ago). Some film critic also tweeted that QT once inferred that he thought the Manson family didn’t murder Sharon at a Q & A session after a Manson documentary showed at QT’s theater. This film is going to get a ton of bad press if Sharon’s sister speaks out, so I’m surprised the studio is doing this film…especially considering QT’s over the top, almost exploitative style.
” Someone small and wiry with brownish black hair and “crazy” eyes. ” James McAvoy or Zac Efron? Shawn Penn is too old.
Joaquin Phoenix could do it, if he went hobo again…
Zac Efron is a little too pretty even though he does have crazy eyes. Dave Franco or James McAvoy may work.
Joaquin is a safe choice.
If Brad Pitt was cast, I’d prefer him as Charles Manson himself. He does crazy very well, as everyone who has seen “12 Monkeys” remembers. He’s also charismatic, and I could see a bunch of young drifters following him into hell.
I read the book at a young age. I’m afraid QT would make it cartoonish. That was a horrible few nights (for those that don’t remember, the Manson family killed a married couple the very next night, throwing LA into a panic).
Manson was in his 30s when it happened a lot younger than Pitt.
I’m torn about this. On the one hand I have a morbid interest in Manson, on the other hand this crime is horrible, one of the worst. I would feel for the victims families having to see this come out. The 70s movie with Railsback as manson scared me to death when I was little. I’m willing to bet it is a favorite of Tarantino’s as he loves those types of films so he’s probably been itching to put his take on it.
Idk, but where can JLaw be cast in this is my question? She’s not pretty enough to be Tate. A Manson girl? Maybe Squeaky? Will be interesting to see who plays Manson.
He was in his 30s when all this went down so Brad Pitt is too old IMO.
As much as I’d love to see QT dress a set with the looks and sounds of ’69, and as big a fan of him as I am, and as massive my tolerance for onscreen violence etc, I just…don’t see this. Other commenters have already nailed all the reasons why this looks like fail. (Unless he goes totes unexpected and does a Jackie Brown-style character piece, with no lavish depictions of the murders. But I doubt he will, or if that could work, either.)
On a *super* superficial note, that’s one of the least flattering Tate photos I’ve ever seen up there. She was STUNNING and it doesn’t do her justice.
Noone does bloody mess better than Tarantino. He’s the right man for the Job.
Nope. Hard pass QT
There was a terrific biography about Manson that was published in the last few years. Scared me silly, but really well-written. I’m wondering if Tarantino might be drawing from this book.
My father was eleven years old on a field trip at Parker center courthouse the day they arrested Charles Manson. The bailiff came in and told all of the sixth grade kids to line up against the wall and to stay utterly still. Then they brought him in, hounded by reporters, and my dad says he locked eyes with Manson, and the coldness in his eyes almost made my father cry. (He’s not an emotional person). It was the most terrifying thing he had ever seen. He didn’t really know who Manson was because he was so young, he says he didn’t really realize who it was at the time. But it’s one of his most vivid memories, understandably. I can’t handle hearing about the murders. I tried to listen to Karina Longworth’s podcast series about it, but I couldn’t. It’s too horrific.
Depending on where in the story they pick this up, this could be done well. If he focused on the pre-murder or post-murder actions of the family, it really would be a good film. Making the murders front and center would be, IMO, the worst way to come at this.
There’s no doubt that the Manson murders certainly are fascinating, but I feel sad for Debra Tate, Anthony DiMaria, et al having to see the horrific murders of their loved ones continuously turned into entertainment. Having someone like Quentin Tarantino involved will take the glamorization of the murders to a whole different level, especially since he is known for his aestheticization of violence. There are already scores of Manson family fans/worshipers out there and this will only gain them more.
My initial feeling is that this story has been done to death and I can’t really see how QT is going to make it fresh. However he is very attuned to the culture of the 60s and 70s so the aesthetics of the film should be on point. For me the most interesting people in the Manson Family are Manson and Leslie Van Houton so I’ll be interested to see who plays them. Manson will have to be played by a strong character actor like Jared Leto or Christian Bale but with QT at the helm there’s a strong chance that he could slip into caricature. As for Van Houghton, in years gone by I would’ve gone with Jennifer Connelly or Hilary Swank but no young high profile star comes to mind at the moment.
I love Tarantino’s films, but Im worried this might lean too much into “glamourizing” a very real event.
The photo of Sharon Tate above is the least flattering photo i have seen of her. Strange choice.
He really should be doing Kill Bill Vol.3, because Uma isn’t getting any younger and (Viviana A. Fox) Vernita Green’s daughter would be old enough to get revenge on Uma’s The Bride!
That’s incredibly sexist. Uma Thurman is 47… Why can’t she be a badass at 57? Or is that only for men? So many people would see kill bill 3.
Of Course Margot Robbie will be in it – eyeroll-
Can we have a break from IT girls that hollywood disposes of?
At the time, if I recall from reading, the first murders were blamed on black people … I could see that’s where Sam Jackson’s role would be .. unless he’s playing a journalist or detective.
I wish this story would die. Enough with Manson.
If he wants to do a serial killer story (at least we’re getting something other than sequels out of Hollywood re a Ted Bundy movie coming with Zack Efron as Ted) … do Edward Kemper or Albert Fish (particularly nasty – he ate children) or Gary Ridgway.
At the time of Kemper in California, there were 2 other active killer at the time – Herbert Mullins and John Linley Frazier. Kemper is still alive in California Medical Facility in his 70’s and has ALWAYS cooperated with reporters. Model prisoner too. Mullins and Kemper were even imprisoned beside each other at one point.