Quentin Tarantino has a limit on his filmography. Mind you, it’s a self-created limit – ten films, and he’ll retire – and it’s one that he’s already saying can be changed. But the nature of his approach to his projects means that there are a treasure trove of ideas the director has expressed interest in that never came to fruition, for various reasons. One of those would have been a prequel, of sorts, to Pulp Fiction.
Titled Double V Vega, the Pulp Fiction prequel would have centered on two classic characters from Quentin Tarantino’s film canon who happen to be related: Reservoir Dogs standout Vic Vega (Michael Madsen) and Pulp baddie Vincent Vega (John Travolta). But the project never got off the ground.
During a recent interview on our very own ReelBlend podcast, Tarantino explained what the plot of that movie would have been, if he was finally able to crack it, and why he’ll never make it now:
So there you have it. Quentin Tarantino’s Double V Vega, which would have been a story told in the years before Pulp Fiction, didn’t occur because the director never moved beyond the premise of the story. And at this point, Travolta and Madsen are far too old to play the parts again. As Tarantino said, certain ideas simply have a shelf life.
Tarantino also made it crystal clear that he has no intention in dabbling with the de-aging techniques that have allowed certain actors to participate in prequels. Even actors Tarantino is intimately involved in have done it. Samuel L. Jackson recently played a much-younger Nick Fury in the 1990s-set Captain Marvel. Not that we want to see Travolta and Madsen doing this process. We’re just saying, it’s possible.
As Tarantino points out, his story would have preceded the fantastic Pulp Fiction monologue scene in the car between John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson as they are on the way to retrieve a briefcase. Dialogue like this can only come from Quentin Tarantino.
Vincent’s talking about his time in Amsterdam, and Double V Vega would have addressed what happened with him and Vic in the European city.
Instead of a Pulp Fiction prequel, Tarantino fans can be treated to his latest original film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, a love letter to the entertainment industry that’s loaded with commentary that only Quentin can provide. In the director’s latest, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are two close friends hanging on to roles in the industry, even as both Hollywood and L.A. face seismic changes to the way things are done.
It’s a beautiful and poignant snapshot of a bygone age, littered with gorgeous odes to the method of storytelling Tarantino has perfected over the years. And you can see it for yourself when Once Upon a Time in Hollywood opens in theaters on Thursday, July 25.
And look for our full interview with Quentin Tarantino on the ReelBlend podcast later this week.
