Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
Fans of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are in for a surprise as the title for its highly anticipated sequel has reportedly been revealed. According to a recent interview with Michael B. Jordan, the sequel is set to be called The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth. The news has sparked excitement, and it's clear that Tarantino’s iconic character, played by Brad Pitt, will be at the centre of this follow-up film.
The sequel, which will be directed by David Fincher and based on a script by Tarantino, will see Pitt reprise his role as the rugged and enigmatic Cliff Booth. The storyline will reportedly take place around eight years after the events of the original film. This time, Booth is expected to transition into a new career as a Hollywood studio fixer, a role that aligns well with the character’s no-nonsense, tough-guy persona, which was showcased in the first film.
The title itself, The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth, signals a deeper dive into the character’s journey, promising audiences more of the same mix of nostalgia and dark humour that made Once Upon a Time in Hollywood a hit. Booth’s past and his willingness to do whatever it takes, even murder, for survival, set the stage for a new chapter in his life.
While the sequel is being framed as a project centered on Booth, it’s been speculated that Leonardo DiCaprio could make a brief appearance as Rick Dalton, Booth's former co-star. However, any involvement from DiCaprio is expected to be minimal, focusing on Booth’s new career path and the challenges he faces in the shifting world of Hollywood.
Interestingly, this project originated from Tarantino’s scrapped script for what would have been his tenth and final film. Pitt was particularly interested in continuing Booth’s story and requested that Tarantino allow someone else to direct. Tarantino agreed, on the condition that the director would need to meet his standards. Enter David Fincher, a filmmaker whose dark and stylish aesthetic aligns well with the tone of Tarantino’s original work. With Fincher on board, Tarantino gave his blessing for the sequel to proceed.
Although the sequel is still in the early stages, production is reportedly eyeing a summer shoot. While Fincher has several other projects in the pipeline, including Bitterroot, a western crime thriller, and the Squid Game series, the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel seems set to move forward.
In addition to the title reveal, there’s also speculation about the direction the sequel will take, with many wondering how the world of Hollywood in the late 60s and early 70s will be explored. Fans are eagerly awaiting more details about the plot and casting, though it is clear that Fincher’s involvement has only heightened anticipation for what promises to be another star-studded chapter in the Once Upon a Time franchise.
With production gearing up for what could be a summer 2025 release, fans are left wondering how The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth will unfold. One thing is for sure – it’s bound to be another ride filled with Tarantino’s signature style, sharp dialogue, and memorable characters.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.