What Are Brad Pitt and Scott Caan Shooting on the Beach for Cliff Booth’s Next Chapter?

Brad Pitt is back in one of his most beloved roles — the charismatic stuntman Cliff Booth — as cameras roll for the highly anticipated sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Titled The Adventures of Cliff Booth, the film promises to take fans deeper into the enigmatic life of Quentin Tarantino’s cool, tough, and quietly complex character.

On September 15, Pitt was spotted on a Los Angeles beach, filming key scenes alongside Scott Caan, with acclaimed director David Fincher behind the camera. The production marks a significant shift in creative leadership, as Tarantino has handed the directing reins to Fincher while still providing the script, ensuring the story remains faithful to his original vision.

Brad Pitt Returns as Cliff Booth

At 61 years old, Brad Pitt shows no signs of slowing down. His portrayal of Cliff Booth in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood earned him critical acclaim, a legion of new fans, and ultimately, the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Cliff’s mix of laid-back charm, subtle menace, and unwavering loyalty made him one of the standout characters of Tarantino’s late-career masterpiece.

In The Adventures of Cliff Booth, the story picks up seven years later, set in 1977 Los Angeles, a city buzzing with disco, political upheaval, and a Hollywood undergoing dramatic transformation. Booth, no longer just a stunt double, is said to be carving out a new life as a “fixer” in the entertainment industry — someone who smooths over problems for stars, studios, and anyone willing to pay.

A Beachside Shoot with Scott Caan

The recent location shoot in Los Angeles featured Pitt alongside Scott Caan, known for his roles in Hawaii Five-0 and the Ocean’s Eleven franchise. Caan’s role in the film has been kept under wraps, but the beach scene offered some clues.

Witnesses described Pitt and Caan engaged in what appeared to be a heated conversation for the cameras, with both actors throwing themselves into the dialogue. While no context has been revealed, speculation suggests Caan could be playing either a rival fixer, an old Hollywood connection, or perhaps even a character from Booth’s shadowy past.

Behind the camera was David Fincher, the director celebrated for his meticulous craftsmanship in films like Fight Club, Zodiac, and The Social Network. Fincher’s involvement signals a darker, moodier take on Cliff Booth’s journey, contrasting Tarantino’s nostalgic and sun-drenched tone in the original.

A Tarantino-Fincher Collaboration

While Tarantino isn’t directing this time, he wrote the screenplay, ensuring the sequel retains his trademark dialogue and narrative quirks. Fincher’s presence, however, guarantees a tonal shift. The marriage of Tarantino’s sharp writing with Fincher’s precise visual style could create something unique — a blend of pulpy energy and brooding intensity.

Hollywood insiders suggest that Tarantino always envisioned Cliff Booth as a character who could support his own spin-off. The director has long teased that Booth’s backstory was far richer than what audiences glimpsed in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The sequel is said to expand on Booth’s mysterious past while situating him in the gritty underbelly of 1970s Hollywood.

Cliff Booth in 1977: What We Know About the Plot

According to early reports, the movie takes place in 1977, a pivotal year for both Hollywood and American culture. This was an era when New Hollywood directors were at their creative peak, the studio system was reinventing itself, and counterculture aesthetics clashed with commercial ambitions.

Booth, working as a fixer, is expected to navigate a dangerous mix of mob connections, powerful studio executives, and starlets whose careers need saving. Unlike the first film, which leaned heavily into revisionist history with its shocking climax, The Adventures of Cliff Booth may dive deeper into noir territory — betrayal, hidden deals, and the murky morality of Hollywood behind the spotlight.

Brad Pitt and Scott Caan’s On-Set Chemistry

Photos from the set show Pitt and Caan being ferried to and from the beach in a four-seater cart, hinting at multiple takes across different setups. In between shots, Pitt was attended to by assistants, with one stylist touching up his hair to maintain continuity. Despite the serious tone of the scene, both Pitt and Caan appeared relaxed between takes, sharing laughs with the crew.

The choice of a beach location also raises questions about the scene’s significance. Could it be a secret meeting between Booth and an ally — or the site of a tense showdown with an enemy? Fincher is known for his layered storytelling, so what looks like a simple conversation may be loaded with subtext and foreshadowing.

Netflix Release and 2026 Debut

Unlike its predecessor, which debuted theatrically under Sony Pictures, The Adventures of Cliff Booth will be released exclusively on Netflix. The move reflects the ongoing shift in Hollywood, where streaming platforms are vying for blockbuster-level projects to draw global audiences.

Netflix has reportedly invested heavily in the production, banking on Pitt’s star power, Tarantino’s writing, and Fincher’s directorial precision to deliver a prestige project that will appeal to both critics and mainstream viewers. The film is scheduled to debut in 2026, positioning it as one of Netflix’s tentpole releases of the year.

Why Fans Are Excited About Cliff Booth’s Return

Cliff Booth has quickly become one of Pitt’s most iconic characters, blending his charisma with a rough-edged unpredictability. Fans loved his unflappable demeanor, his loyalty to Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton, and the darker hints of violence lurking beneath his cool exterior.

The sequel gives Pitt a chance to flesh out Booth further, showing what happens when a man of action is thrust into a city and an industry in transition. Combined with the 1970s backdrop, audiences can expect a stylish mix of Hollywood glamour, retro aesthetics, and underworld intrigue.

A Unique Creative Experiment

What makes The Adventures of Cliff Booth stand out isn’t just its star-studded lineup but the rare collaboration between two of cinema’s most distinctive voices. Tarantino’s narrative sensibility paired with Fincher’s directorial style is a combination few could have predicted. The result may offer a fresh perspective on a character who straddles the line between myth and man.

For Pitt, it’s another opportunity to showcase his versatility in a role that resonates with his late-career renaissance. For Caan, it’s a chance to step into a high-profile project that could redefine his trajectory in Hollywood. For audiences, it’s the promise of another unforgettable chapter in a character’s story that began as a sidekick but now commands the spotlight.

Conclusion: Cliff Booth’s Story Is Just Beginning

As Brad Pitt and Scott Caan were spotted shooting on the beach in Los Angeles, the buzz around The Adventures of Cliff Booth has only intensified. With Tarantino’s pen, Fincher’s vision, and Pitt’s charisma, the sequel is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing projects on the horizon.

Set against the backdrop of 1977 Hollywood and anchored by a character who has already left an indelible mark on modern cinema, Cliff Booth’s next adventure looks poised to deliver both style and substance. Fans eager to revisit Tarantino’s world of cinematic revisionism and Hollywood mythology will have to wait until 2026, but if the beach shoot is any indication, Cliff Booth’s journey is far from over.