Quentin Tarantino Eyeing TV Project, Reveals Which Comic Book He’d Adapt

At an event in New York to promote his new book, “Cinema Speculation,” Quentin Tarantino had a few interesting nuggets to share. Tarantino told event host and moderator, film critic Elvis Mitchell, that he’s eyeing a TV project that will have him shooting an eight-episode series in 2023. If you’re curious, as we are, which series that will be, Tarantino wasn’t offering more than that. Perhaps the man who brought us Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds, and Once Upon a Time In Hollywood is going to shepherd the second season of Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Okay, probably not, but whichever series Tarantino is helming, new or continuing, it won’t be the first time the auteur has worked in the medium.

Back in 2005, Tarantino filmed two episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He’s been linked to the revival of FX’s beloved neo-western Justified this year, too. Tarantino told Mitchell a slew of interesting near misses and almost weres, including that he was offered an opportunity to rewrite Samuel L. Jackson’s 2000 reboot of Shaft, but that he rejected the offer. He also wrote a play before Once Upon a Time in Hollywood began filming. Who wouldn’t love to see Tarantino on Broadway? Or off Broadway, for that matter.

Considering our current cinematic landscape is in many ways the domain of comic book characters, it was only natural for Mitchell to ask Tarantino which comic book he’d adapt if he was given the chance. Tarantino’s answer isn’t surprising—he chose one that would reunite him with his muse, Samuel L. Jackson, by adapting “Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos.” The comic book follows Nick Fury (played by Jackson in the Marvel films and upcoming Marvel series on Disney+, Secret Invasion) and his Howling Commandos World War II unit, a group that was featured in Chris Evans’ first film in the MCU, Captain America: The First Avenger. 

There were other projects that came and went, perhaps most notably, the Star Trek film Tarantino had been circling after pitching an R-rated story to J.J. Abrams. It seems as if that spaceship has sailed—Tarantino told Mitchell that he was no longer pursuing the project.

“Cinema Speculation” is Tarantino’s essay collection on movies, offering readers a deep dive into the films that shaped and inspired one of our most passionate, singular filmmakers. It’s worth a read for all film fans and Tarantino appreciators.

Featured image: Quentin Tarantino, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt on the set of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD. Photo Credit: Andrew Cooper