Losing a legendary entertainment figure is hard enough for fans. And when Burt Reynolds passed away earlier this month, there were plenty of people expressing their condolences and sharing their favorite film and TV roles that the actor gave audiences. However, there was one loose end that arose from his untimely passing. Namely, what does that mean for Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?” You see, Reynolds was on the verge of filming his role in the film, but now that was an impossibility. According to a report, we now know who is stepping into the actor’s sizeable shoes.
Deadline is reporting that Bruce Dern, an incredible actor in his own right, has signed on to replace Burt Reynolds in the upcoming Tarantino film that’s currently in production. In the film, he’ll play George Spahn, an elderly man who rented his mansion to be used in Westerns. However, Spahn was convinced by Charles Manson to allow his “family” to use the ranch as their commune. And of course, we know how that went.
Obviously, it would have been great to see Reynolds in yet another major role, but Dern is not a someone that we can easily write off. In fact, he’s already turned in a great performances in Tarantino films, appearing in “The Hateful Eight” and “Django Unchained.” Who better for the filmmaker to hire than someone who has previously worked with him?
The report mentions that Dern was already in production of a film titled “Remember Me,” which is filming in Spain. However, the producer and director of the film gave permission for Dern to leave the project and delay the production so he could film for ‘Once Upon a Time.’
And as Deadline is quick to mention, Dern considered Reynolds a dear friend, after appearing in multiple projects together, including a couple of TV movies and the 1965 series “12 O’Clock High.”
We’ll see how Dern does as Spahn in the upcoming film when “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” hits theaters on July 26, 2019.
