Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to Premiere at Cannes

It has been 25 years since the iconic film Pulp Fiction first premiered at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival, and Deadline now brings word that director Quentin Tarantino will be making his return to this year’s Cannes with the world premiere of his upcoming ninth cinematic epic, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Starring Leonardo DiCarpio and Brad Pitt, the highly-anticipated film will also be competing in the festival which is set to launch later this month.

“We were afraid the film would not be ready, as it wouldn’t be released until late July, but Quentin Tarantino, who has not left the editing room in four months, is a real, loyal and punctual child of Cannes.” General Delegate Thierry Frémaux said about the film’s late inclusion. “Like for Inglourious Basterds, he’ll definitely be there – 25 years after the Palme d’or for Pulp Fiction – with a finished film screened in 35mm and his cast in tow (Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt). His film is a love letter to the Hollywood of his childhood, a rock music tour of 1969, and an ode to cinema as a whole. In addition to thanking Quentin and his crew for spending days and nights in the editing room, the festival wants to give special thanks to the teams at Sony Pictures, who made all of this possible.” 

RELATED: Once Upon A Time in Hollywood Trailer: Tarantino Returns!

The film is lead by A-List stars Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio along with a massive ensemble cast that includes Margot Robbie (I, Tonya), Timothy Olyphant (Santa Clarita Diet), Michael Madsen (Sin City), Tim Roth (Selma), Damian Lewis (Billions), Luke Perry (The Fifth Element), Emile Hirsch (Speed Racer), Dakota Fanning (The Alienist), Clifton Collins (Pacific Rim), Keith Jefferson (The Hateful Eight), Nicholas Hammond (The Sound of Music), James Marsden (Westworld), Julia Butters (Transparent), Scoot McNairy (Halt and Catch Fire), Damon Herriman (Mindhunter), Austin Butler (Switch at Birth), Lena Dunham (Girls), Maya Hawke (Stranger Things), Mike Moh (Street Fighter), Rafal Zawierucha, Rumer Willis, Dream Walker (The Good Wife), Costa Ronin (The Americans), Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers), Victoria Pedretti (The Haunting of Hill House), and Zoe Bell (Kill Bill).

Veteran actor Burt Reynolds (Smokey and the Bandit) was originally supposed to play the role of George Spahn. However, last September, Reynolds passed away due to cardiopulmonary arrest right before he could film his scenes. Following his passing, his longtime friend and fellow veteran actor Bruce Dern (The Hateful Eight) signed on to take over his role.

RELATED: Once Upon A Time in Hollywood Set Photos with Pitt, DiCaprio, and Pacino

Set in Los Angeles in the summer of 1969, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood focuses on a male TV actor named Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) who’s had one hit western series and is looking for a way to get into the film business. His sidekick Cliff Booth (Pitt) — who’s also his stunt double — is looking for the same thing. The horrific murder of Sharon Tate (Rick’s neighbor in the film, portrayed by Robbie) and four of her friends by Charles Manson’s cult of followers serves as a backdrop to the main story. The movie is said to be similar to a “Pulp Fiction-like tapestry” that covers a group of characters during that summer.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is slated for release on July 26.