Popcorn With Peter Travers Season 8 Episode 63 Quentin Tarantino On Retirement, Future Plans and Samuel L. Jackson As His Go-To Guy

In this episode of Popcorn With Peter Travers, film director Quentin Tarantino sits down with Travers to discuss his thoughts on retirement and what future plans he has in store. Tarantino also shares his thoughts on working with actor Samuel L. Jackson and why he's his go-to guy when it comes to casting.

Travers kicks off the interview by asking Tarantino about his comments on retiring after he completes his 10th film. Tarantino explains that he's always had a number in his head and that idea has just stuck with him. He's currently working on his ninth film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.

Tarantino also talks about how he wants to focus on writing books and theater plays after he retires from directing. He mentions that he's already started writing a book about film, which will explore his thoughts on the medium. He also hopes to write a series of short stories that are connected, like a novel.

Travers then shifts the conversation to Tarantino's longstanding collaboration with actor Samuel L. Jackson. Tarantino and Jackson have worked on numerous films together, including Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, and Django Unchained. Tarantino explains that Jackson is his "muse" and that he writes a lot of his characters with Jackson in mind.

Tarantino also praises Jackson's versatility as an actor, saying that he can bring different nuances to a character each time he plays them. He cites Jackson's performance as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction as a perfect example of this.

Travers and Tarantino then delve into the topic of casting, specifically Tarantino's unique process. Tarantino reveals that he doesn't hold traditional auditions for his films. Instead, he meets with actors one-on-one to discuss the script and the character. He wants to see if the actor has a "spark" or a connection to the material.

Tarantino also talks about how he wrote the role of Aldo Raine in Inglourious Basterds specifically for Brad Pitt. He had already worked with Pitt on a script for another movie that fell through, so he knew he wanted to work with him again. Tarantino sent the script to Pitt and he agreed to play the part.

Overall, this episode of Popcorn With Peter Travers provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the most iconic and controversial film directors of our time. Tarantino's insights on his retirement plans, working with Samuel L. Jackson, and his casting process offer valuable insight into the creative process behind some of Hollywood's most unforgettable films.