First, a caveat: just because Quentin Tarantino talks about a project doesn’t mean that project will ever see the day of light. But, still, last year we reported rumors that he was planning on bringing his Western whodunnit opus from the (very big) screen to the stage. Now, Tarantino seems to have confirmed that there’s a pretty high likelihood that the film — which, you may recall, was first produced as a staged reading — will, in fact, be making its way to the stage.
Tarantino spoke to The Wrap after the Golden Globes last night, saying “I’ve thought it out completely. I’m just waiting for this [awards] season to be over so I can write it. I gotta put myself there and write it for this.” He also said that he would direct the stage play, so, should this all come to pass, don’t expect too much from Tarantino in the way of films anytime soon.
The director added that the film’s producer, Harvey Weinstein, actually suggested he make the work into a play before making it into a movie, but Tarantino insisted otherwise, saying that he wasn’t confident that the mystery element in the film would translate properly to the stage. And, also, he really, really wanted to do that whole 70mm thing, with the snow and the pretty landscapes and whatnot.
It’s maybe a bit ironic that Tarantino would adapt this film for the stage, given the fuss over the grandeur of the 70mm version roadshow, but it speaks to the strength of the material. It’s all talking anyway, and in just a few rooms. There’s some blood in there, too. And those are the only two things needed for a good play.