Quentin Tarantino’s plan to retire after directing his 10th film has meant that the closer he got to that number, the more anticipated the releases were. As he spaces out his films more and more, audiences revisit his back catalog. Memorable characters stand out with their outlandish names and out-of-the-box dialogue, in beautifully shot scenes that are re-watched time and time again. It’s no secret that the director has created a roster of actors and movie stars he enjoys working with and regularly brings back for his new projects.
Tarantino has also already said he considers both volumes ofKill Billone film — so he could easily opt for another two-part picture as his finale, or even a trilogy, creating space for many players to return. There are also character tropes he leans into that viewers will be expecting and hoping for when the last film is finally released. While having Uma Thurman in some capacity and a wild cameo from Tarantino himself, are pretty much a given, the rest of the cast remains a mystery.
10Steve Buscemi
Previously Played Mr. Pink & Buddy Holly
Tarantino allegedly wrote the role of Mr. Pink inReservoir Dogsfor himself, but it’s impossible to imagine anyone other than Steve Buscemi playing this part. His brand of dark humor and that feeling of being in a constant state of slight discomfort lends itself perfectly to this quirky role. The film propelled his career, and Mr. Prink remains one of the most popular of all his parts. He returned in a smaller, yet memorable role as a Buddy Holly-inspired waiter inPulp Fiction,truly making the most of the short time he had in an already stacked film.
It would be a satisfying full-circle moment if, after starring in Tarantino’s first feature film, Buscemi returned for his last. The options for his potential character are exciting, as he could reprise either of his roles from the previous films. Depending on the script, a cameo from either Mr. Pink or the Buddy Holly waiter could be highly entertaining. He could also easily command a larger role, and the audience would most certainly enjoy seeing him bring Tarantino’s script to life.
9Daryl Hannah
Previously Played Elle Driver a.k.a. California Mountain Snake
One of the more visually impactful characters from a Tarantino movie is Elle Driver fromKill Bill: Vol 1. From the modified nurse’s uniform, complete with a red cross eye patch, to the menacing strut down the corridor with Bernard Herrman’s “Twisted Nerve” playing in the background, it is impossible to look away when she is on the screen.
Even though she doesn’t have the most dialogue or a lot of screen time compared to many other actors Tarantino had cast, Daryl Hannah was able to leave a lasting mark. If she were to return in Tarantino’s final picture, she would bring some sharp elegance and edge to any role she was given. A mysterious femme fatale would absolutely be in her wheelhouse, and it would be interesting to see what she could do with more material after all these years.
8Leonardo DiCaprio
Previously played Calvin Candie & Rick Dalton
Leonardo DiCaprio has a history of working with notable directors multiple times; so far, he has collaborated with Tarantino twice. His deplorable character inDjango Unchainedshowed audiences a different side of the multi-faceted actor, and he gained a lot of critical praise in the process. On the other hand, as one of the leads ofOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywood,he was able to flex just about every acting muscle he had, earning himself another Academy Award nomination.
Through this last role, he also gave the world one of the most popular memes of the past few years. Whether he is the star of the final Tarantino project or appears in a mere cameo, DiCaprio’s involvement would most certainly enrich the movie massively. The way he contributes to Tarantino’s words is nothing short of extraordinary, and it would be a shame not to see this partnership one more time.
7Lucy Liu
Previously Played O-Ren Ishii a.k.a. Cottonmouth
The worst thing about Lucy Liu’s character in theKill Billfilms is that viewers do not get to see enough of her. O-Ren Ishii’s backstory is fascinating and one of the most visually stunning sequences of the film. She has an incredible life, and if Tarantino ever decides to get into the business of prequels and spin-off series, this should most certainly be one of them. As the main antagonist ofVol. 1, she commands the screen and brings a sense of dread that pays off when the final fight scene finally comes.
Though she had to die so that The Bride could enact her much-deserved revenge, she puts up one of the most exhilarating fights of the two-part movie. As she takes those final few steps across the snow before falling to the ground, the audience is finally able to exhale. If Liu could bring some of that drama and quiet intensity to the final film, it could make for some true movie magic.
Previously Played Lt. Aldo Raine & Cliff Booth
The combination of Brad Pitt’s understated comedic timing and Tarantino’s quit-witted scripts created one of the funniest characters in a movie that tackled an incredibly serious subject. Having an A-list actor delivering such unhinged dialogue was not necessarily that commonplace at the time, outside a Tarantino movie. Their professional relationship also brought audiences one of the most iconic ex-stuntmen and perhaps the most satisfying finale of the last decade inOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywood.
Pitt also took home his first Oscar for his supporting performance in Tarantino’s expectedly Best Picture nominee. Having a final film without including Pitt in some capacity would be a wasted opportunity. His charisma could be used to elevate a villainous character, but his romantic lead abilities in Tarantino’s hands also have the potential for greatness.
5Christoph Waltz
Previously Played Col. Hans Landa & Dr. King Schultz
Christopher Waltz received both of his Academy Awards for his work on Tarantino films, so it stands to reason he’d be keen to try for one more. InInglorious Basterds, he frightens viewers with his evil intensity while stealing every scene he appears in. Thanks to him, cinema got one of the most terrifying movie villains as well as one of the most tense opening scenes of all time. InDjango Unchained,he showcases a more human side while retaining his blunt demeanor.
Every time the actor-director duo works together, the results are astounding, bringing to life the most achingly watchable characters. A final Tarantino film without Waltz would also be hard to imagine. Whether he opts for a heroic character with a heart of gold, or a deplorable megalomaniac who wants to set the world on fire, viewers will definitely be in for an interesting ride.
4Pam Grier
Previously Played Jackie Brown
Starring as the lead in a film named after the main character is a big deal.Jackie Browngave Pam Grier’s career a big boost and brought her back into the cultural zeitgeist. As a tough and straight-talking flight attendant in very much a man’s world, she displays strength that can only come with years of experience. It was a genius move to cast her in this film that played homage to the very films that originally made her famous.
Since she had not been seen in any of Quentin’s movies since her starring role, her appearance is long overdue. Grier makes a cameo inDjango Unchained, showing the potential for Tarantino to skillfully use some of his most iconic collaborators in smaller parts in his final movie. As far as this project is concerned, having Grier play someone powerful and influential would be a great way of honoring her legacy within the Tarantino universe.
3Michael Madsen
Previously Played Mr. Blonde, Budd a.k.a. Sidewinder, & Joe Gage
A perennial collaborator, Michael Madsen has four credits in the director’s films that span decades. His gruffness and dominating energy have given life to some extremely charismatic characters, like Mr. Blonde inReservoir Dogsand Budd inKill Bill. It’s almost unimaginable that Madsen wouldn’t be part of Tarantino’s swan song in some capacity. As the most chilling part ofReservoir Dogs, it would also make sense for Madsen to bring things full circle by appearing in the director’s first and last hits.
Madsen has also made a cameo in a Tarantino movie before and could do the same again in the director’s last project if he is not tapped for a lead role. He is also one of theactors considered for roles inPulp Fiction, having turned down the part of Vincent Vega. However, he is such a staple of Tarantino’s work that he will still be able to hold his own against the returning actors from the director’s most famous title.
2John Travolta
Previously Played Vincent Vega
When John Travolta appeared inPulp Fiction, he was experiencing a career slump. His previous few projects were critically panned and financially unreliable, and he had lost any semblance of being thought of as “cool”. That all changed with his portrayal of Vincent Vega, one of the several criminals who finds himself in a difficult situation inPulp Fiction, forming part of the myriad of experiences reflected in the movie’s core theme.
It was a role that reminded Hollywood what he was capable of, and it brought him back on top. Travolta’s dance scene with Uma Thurman is one of the most iconic scenes in movie history, revealing a side of the actor the world hadn’t seen in a while. It would be another missed opportunity not to create another unforgettable character for Travolta to portray in Tarantino’s last movie, possibly alluding to his single but career-defining part in the gangster saga.
1Samuel L. Jackson
Previously Played Jules Winnfield, Ordell Robbie, Rufus, Narrator (Uncredited), Stephen, & Major Marquis Warren
A Tarantino film without Samuel L. Jackson wouldn’t be the same. From big parts to smaller cameos, and even as a narrator, his presence gives audiences a sense of security that’s sometimes needed in all the chaos. As the actor with the most credits in the director’s projects, he has created a group of varying characters with many different life experiences. As Jackson got older, his characters came with more baggage and a type of cranky wisdom that only comes with years of “really going through it.”
Getting anotherPulp Fictioncar scene, or a Cockatoo bar scene fromJackie Brownwould be the perfect way to wrap up this decade-long partnership. Jackson’s characters also seem to be a mouthpiece forQuentin Tarantinoto unleash some of his more controversial thoughts — having the legendary actor deliver them one last time would be fitting.
Quentin Tarantino
Discover the latest news and filmography for Quentin Tarantino, known for Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.
