When the trailer for ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’ was released, viewers saw Brad Pitt coming back as Cliff, and the film clearly continues the world of ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood‘, but Rick Dalton never appears.
Considering how closely the two characters were tied together before, Leonardo DiCaprio’s absence immediately baffled viewers. While there have been several speculations about why DiCaprio is not part of the film, the actor has now set the record straight.
Why Rick Dalton Is Missing From ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’
Although Quentin Tarantino wrote the script, David Fincher directs the film for Netflix, and that creative handover also signals a change in narrative focus. The story moves into the late 1970s, nearly ten years after the original movie. Rather than revisiting an actor struggling with fame, the sequel follows Cliff Booth after his stunt career ends.
Related: Leonardo DiCaprio’s Biggest Regret Is Turning Down A “Masterpiece” Movie For ‘Titanic’
He now works as a Hollywood fixer in the industry’s criminal underworld, which moves the film’s entire tone. Because the plot centers entirely on Cliff’s new life, Rick Dalton doesn’t naturally fit into the story. Dalton would realistically still be acting somewhere else while Cliff handles dangerous problems behind the scenes.
So, the partnership that defined the first film no longer drives the sequel. Additionally, the original movie already gave Dalton a complete emotional arc. Bringing him back without a meaningful role would repeat earlier beats instead of adding anything new.
Why Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Down ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ Sequel Cameo
Even so, the studio reportedly tried to include Leonardo DiCaprio. Netflix offered him about $3 million for a single day of filming to appear briefly as Rick Dalton. However, he declined.
The appearance would only have been a cameo, and returning for a short walk-on after finishing the character’s journey didn’t offer much creative value.
In case you missed it: How Quentin Tarantino’s Greatest Character Ever Became His Most Terrifying Creation
A brief return wouldn’t meaningfully expand Dalton’s story. On top of that, DiCaprio follows a long-standing rule in his career; he does not do sequels or reprise roles. Accepting even a small appearance would break a pattern he has maintained for decades.
Naturally, some viewers suspected a dispute or scheduling conflict, but there’s no truth to it. The film tells Cliff Booth’s story, not Rick Dalton’s, and DiCaprio prefers leaving the character where audiences last saw him.
You might also like to read: 5 Forgotten Movies Of Brad Pitt’s Career
