Fans always get disappointed to learn that their favorite actor’s scenes in the movie they were so excited to see have been deleted. Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one such epic film. Well, did you know that not everything he shot was used, including Tim Roth’s somewhat secretive performance?
For those who are unaware, the 62-year-old actor was slated to appear in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Raymond. The film combines outrageous fictional characters with real-life movie stars; more examples can be found in the deleted scenes from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Tim Roth, who revealed that he shot a lot of footage for his role, was one of the famous actors with whom Tarantino shot many footages. Even though the character had his own arc, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood completely removed all traces of the Lie to Me actor from the narrative.
Names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Dakota Fanning are featured in the movie. Additionally, note that Tom Cruise almost starred in the 2019 comedy-drama film.
Why Did Quentin Tarantino Remove Tim Roth’s Scenes?
It makes sense that a film with the title- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood would include many Hollywood icons. Leo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Dakota Fanning are among the actors who appeared in the movie. The closing credits, however, removed one name.
In the Quentin Tarantino-directed film, Tim Roth was originally expected to make an appearance.
Because Roth and Tarantino collaborated on Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and The Hateful Eight, it was surprising for fans when the director trimmed the actor’s scenes. It is obvious that the two icons have nothing against each other given their previous shared professional histories. So why were the Rob Roy actor’s scenes removed?
Tim Roth’s ‘strand’ in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was omitted for a very clear reason, and it has to do with the length of the film. His character, according to Tarantino, was cut from the film when the rough cut reached five hours.
Thankfully for Roth, who has worked with Tarantino for a long time, the director showed him his scenes during a special private screening of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
The actor stated, “But then he put in the credits, ‘Tim Roth (Cut)’,” after complimenting the director on the honorific treatment he received.
“Which is so his sense of humor. My sons loved that.”
When Tom Cruise Almost Played Cliff Booth
Brad Pitt was approached by Quentin Tarantino to star in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood when it was still in the early stages of pre-production.
A few months later, it was made public that Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio were vying for one of the leading parts. In the end, Brad Pitt was chosen, and the chemistry he had with DiCaprio was one of the factors in the movie’s success.
A few days prior to the release of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Tarantino discussed the possibility of casting Tom Cruise. Speaking with the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Tarantino acknowledged he had spoken to the Top Gun star about it.
However, finding the right actors to play Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth was ultimately what mattered.
Getting both (Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise) on board was not guaranteed, Tarantino continued, and there were many factors to take into account given that one was the opposite of the other. And thus, he added, they had to “match up in the right kind of way.”
Well, in the end, everything turned out for the better because DiCaprio and Pitt received positive reviews for their performances in the film.
You can watch Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on Starz and AppleTV.
Source- Uproxx