Burt Reynolds Didn’t Shoot Any Scenes for Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’
Actor was scheduled to begin filming his role early next month
Trey Williams | September 6, 2018 @ 3:32 PM
Last Updated: September 6, 2018 @ 3:34 PM
Mike Windle/Getty Images
Burt Reynolds, the legendary actor who died Thursday at the age of 82, did not get the chance to shoot what would have been a remarkable final film appearance.
Earlier this summer, Reynolds was cast in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” alongside a stacked cast that includes Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, among others.
A person with knowledge of the project said that Reynolds had not yet shot any of his scenes for the film, which follows a faded TV actor and his stunt double as they embark on an odyssey to make a name for themselves in the film industry in 1969 Los Angeles, during the Charles Manson murders.
Reynolds was expected to play George Spahn, the ranch owner who rented his land out to Manson and his cult of followers.
The actor was scheduled to begin shooting in early October, according to his agent. What happens to the role and film at this point is unclear.
Tarantino has said that “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” would not be based on Tate’s murder, but would instead use it as the backdrop for the story of a past-his-prime actor (DiCaprio) and his stuntman (Pitt) looking for one last big break in a Hollywood that left them behind.
Reynolds’ niece Nancy Lee Hess said in a statement that he “was looking forward to working with Quentin Tarantino, and the amazing cast that was assembled” for the film.
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” will be distributed by Sony and is set to hit theaters July 26, 2019.
Reynolds, who has starred in films such as “The Longest Yard,” “Boogie Nights,” “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Deliverance,” died of cardiac arrest on Thursday morning.
He received an Oscar nomination for his role in 1997’s “Boogie Nights,” and also had major roles in movies like 1982’s “Best Friends,” and 1983’s “The Man Who Loved Women” as well as in TV shows like “Evening Shade,” for which he earned an Emmy.
Read Hess’ full statement on Reynolds’ death below:
It is with a broken heart that I said goodbye to my uncle today.
My uncle was not just a movie icon; he was a generous, passionate and sensitive man, who was dedicated to his family, friends, fans and acting students.
He has had health issues, however, this was totally unexpected. He was tough. Anyone who breaks their tail bone on a river and finishes the movie is tough. And that’s who he was. My uncle was looking forward to working with Quentin Tarantino, and the amazing cast that was assembled.
So many people have already contacted me, to tell me how they benefitted professionally and personally from my uncles kindness.
I want to thank all of his amazing fans who have always supported and cheered him on, through all of the hills and valleys of his life and career.
My family and I appreciate the outpouring of love for my uncle, and I ask that everyone please respect our family’s privacy at this very difficult time
Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood': How the Stars Compare to Real-Life Characters (Photos)
Quentin Taratino's upcoming "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is set on 1969 around the time of the notorious 1969 Manson Family murders -- and features a mix of both real-life and fictional characters.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, for instance, play a (fictitious) washed-up Western actor and his stunt double who are neighbors of actress (and true-life murder victim) Sharon Tate. Here's how the cast -- as we know it so far -- matches up with their real-life counterparts.
Margot Robbie ("I, Tonya") plays actress Sharon Tate, who was eight and a half months pregnant when she was murdered by the Charles Manson Family. (Her husband, director Roman Polanski, was in Europe shooting a movie at the time.)
Australian actor Damon Herriman ("Justified") will play the notorious Charles Manson.
Bruce Dern plays George Spahn, the aged California rancher who was persuaded to allow the Manson Family to live on his property. (Dern stepped in after the September 2018 death of Burt Reynolds, who was originally cast in the role.)
Dakota Fanning ("The Alienist") portrays Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a Charles Manson disciple who later attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford.
Damian Lewis ("Billions") as actor Steve McQueen.
Emile Hirsch ("Into the Wild") plays celebrity hair stylist and Manson Family murder victim Jay Sebring (né Thomas Kummer).
Polish actor Rafal Zawierucha ("Warsaw 44") will play the young Roman Polanski, who was filming a movie in Europe when his pregnant wife, Sharon Tate was killed.
"Empire" and "Inhumans" actor Mike Moh plays kung-fu master Bruce Lee, whom Roman Polanski briefly suspected in the 1969 murder of his wife, Sharon Tate.
Austin Butler ("The Carrie Diaries," "The Shanarra Chronicles") plays Charles "Tex" Watson, a central member of Manson's Family who committed multiple murders and was later convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder
Lena Dunham ("Girls") portrays Catherine "Gypsy" Share, a follower of Manson who did not participate in the Sharon Tate murders.
Rumer Willis ("Empire") plays Joanna Pettet, a British actress who appeared in movies like "The Group" -- and who also lunched with Sharon Tate hours the day of her murder.
Nicholas Hammond, who played Friedrich in "The Sound of Music," plays actor-director Sam Wanamaker (whose connection to the Manson case is unclear).
Popular 1960s actress and singer Connie Stevens will be played by "Don't Trust the B--- in Apartment 23" alum Dreama Walker.
Voytek Frykowski (a.k.a. Wojciech Frykowski), the Polish actor who was killed along with others in Roman Polanski's home on L.A.'s Cielo Drive, will be played by Russian-born actor Costa Ronin ("The Americans").
Abigail Folger, a Manson Family victim who was heiress to the Folger coffee fortune and girlfriend of Frykowski, will be played by "The Love Witch" actress Samantha Robinson.
"The Leftovers" star Margaret Qualley plays Kitty Kat, based on Manson Family member Kathryn "Kitty" Lutesinger, the girlfriend of convicted murderer Bobby Beausoleil.
Madisen Beaty ("The Fosters," "Aquarius") appears as Katie, the nickname for Manson Family member Patricia Krenwinkel, who was convicted of murder for her role in the slaying of Sharon Tate and four others on Cielo Drive.
Newcomer Victoria Pedretti plays Lulu, the nickname for Manson Family member and convicted murderer Leslie Van Houten -- who was 19 at the time of the slayings.
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Many stars in Tarantino’s 2019 movie play actual people in 1969 Los Angeles, from Steve McQueen to Sharon Tate
Quentin Taratino's upcoming "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is set on 1969 around the time of the notorious 1969 Manson Family murders -- and features a mix of both real-life and fictional characters.
