Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino on Bruce Lee fight scene in Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie talk about the characters they play in Tarantino’s love letter to the movie business and what it means to them
- Tarantino explains the genesis of his ninth film, set in late-1960s Hollywood, the time of Charles Manson and the Sharon Tate murders
There are many memorable moments in Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood , but perhaps none more so than Brad Pitt fighting Bruce Lee.
The Hong Kong action legend, played by newcomer Mike Moh, pitches up for one scene in Tarantino’s mosaic-like nod to late 1960s Los Angeles and the entertainment industry, as he finds himself in a scrap with Pitt’s stuntman character Cliff Booth on a studio back lot.
“If you’re going to try to set up how indestructible a person is, having them fight Bruce Lee and doing a good job [is the way to do it],” says Tarantino with a laugh. “He could either fight Bruce Lee or Jim Brown … either one would really set up [that] the guy is a bad ass. I like the fact most of that whole fight scene is done in one shot – that’s the part I was proud of.”
For Pitt, the chance to fight Bruce Lee – or at least someone playing him – was one of the more interesting moments in his career. “I never saw that one coming,” he grins.
“And of course … no-one could win!” He then tells a heart-warming story about struggling actor Moh, who almost gave up the profession. “He said ‘I can’t keep doing this, I’ve got to put my family first’ … then saw this role, and put his name in the hat and got it.”