Quentin Tarantino says he has completed a screenplay for his 10th film, but the acclaimed filmmaker is not ready to begin production.
Tarantino said in a recent television interview that he likes the script, while making clear that he intends to spend time on other priorities before deciding when to move ahead with the project.
The announcement gives fans the clearest update yet on the director’s long-discussed final movie.
Tarantino has repeatedly said he plans to stop directing feature films after 10 movies, although he has not announced a title, cast, production schedule or release date for the new screenplay.
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Quentin Tarantino is putting theatre first
Before returning to film, Tarantino is preparing The Popinjay Cavalier, his first play written and directed for the stage.
The swashbuckling comedy is scheduled to begin previews at London’s Phoenix Theatre on February 23, 2027, before its official opening on March 18.
The production is currently scheduled to run until June 13, 2027.
Sacha Baron Cohen will star as Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr., a celebrated actor whose journey to Paris becomes entangled in deception, danger and comic adventure.
The play is set in 1830s Europe and is being produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions.
Tarantino has described the project as a major creative shift.
Although he is best known for films such as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he has long expressed interest in working in theatre.
Why the 10th film matters
Tarantino’s self-imposed 10-film plan has shaped the conversation around his career for years.
He has treated the number as a possible endpoint for his directing work, rather than a promise that he will stop writing, producing, acting or developing stories in other formats.
His most recent film as director was Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, released in 2019.
The movie earned Brad Pitt an Academy Award for supporting actor and became Tarantino’s latest completed feature behind the camera.
Since then, Tarantino has remained involved in several projects connected to his film world.
He wrote The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, a follow-up to the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood universe that is being directed by David Fincher and stars Pitt.
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in November 2026.
That project does not count as Tarantino’s 10th directed film because he is not directing it.
The distinction is important to the filmmaker’s long-standing plan to end his directing career with a final feature of his own.
No title or production timetable has been announced
Despite confirming that a script exists, Tarantino has not disclosed its story, working title or intended cast.
He also has not said whether the screenplay is the same project he previously discussed as a potential final film, or whether it developed from an earlier idea.
Past possibilities have included projects linked to his existing characters, historical settings and concepts that were later abandoned or reworked.
For now, the timing appears to depend partly on how The Popinjay Cavalier progresses.
The play’s official booking confirms a substantial West End run, giving Tarantino several months of theatre commitments before a return to feature filmmaking could realistically begin.
Richardson, who has photographed several Tarantino films, said earlier this year that he expected the director’s next feature could move forward in 2027, although no exact schedule had been locked.
What happens next
The immediate priority is the London production.
Rehearsals, previews and the opening of The Popinjay Cavalier will likely provide the next significant public updates about Tarantino’s creative plans.
After the play closes, Tarantino may revisit the screenplay, begin casting discussions or continue developing the story before committing to production.
Until those steps are announced, the film remains a completed script rather than an active movie shoot.
That cautious approach is consistent with Tarantino’s recent choices.
He has continued to write and appear in projects while taking more time between films, and he has shown a willingness to let other directors bring his scripts to the screen.
For audiences, the update means Tarantino’s directing career has not reached its final chapter yet.
His 10th film now exists on paper, but the filmmaker is choosing theatre, family life and time away from production before deciding when — or exactly how — to make it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Quentin Tarantino finished his 10th film script?
Yes. Tarantino said he has written a screenplay he likes for his 10th film, but he has not announced its title or production schedule.
Will Quentin Tarantino direct his 10th film?
Tarantino has indicated that his 10th feature is intended to be his final movie as a director, although production plans have not been confirmed.
What is The Popinjay Cavalier?
It is Tarantino’s first stage play as writer and director, a swashbuckling comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
When will The Popinjay Cavalier open?
Previews are scheduled to begin at London’s Phoenix Theatre on February 23, 2027, with the official opening set for March 18, 2027.
What was Quentin Tarantino’s most recent film as director?
His most recent directed feature was Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, released in 2019.
Fact-Checked: Key dates and production details were checked against the official Phoenix Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions announcements, with the film update corroborated by recent interview reporting.
Disclaimer: Tarantino’s 10th film remains in development, and its title, cast, production schedule and release date have not been announced.