There’s no argument that Quentin Tarantino is a bold guy. For over two decades, the influential filmmaker has made a name for himself in Hollywood by working on his own terms, which includes getting the Weinstein brothers to wiggle his big toe.
But he’s a self-aware enough to know this shit doesn’t last forever, which is why he’s hinted at calling it quits when he’s cut and shelved his tenth film. And if we’re keeping count, he’s two away after last year’s chamber Western, The Hateful Eight.
Today, Tarantino confirmed his previously hush-hush, wink-wink retirement plan while speaking at the Adobe Max creativity conference in San Diego, California. But he didn’t just go out and say “Yes”, he found his inner Yeezy.
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“Drop the mic. Boom. Tell everybody, ‘Match that shit,'” he announced to applause. “Hopefully, the way I define success when I finish my career is that I’m considered one of the greatest filmmakers that ever lived. And going further, a great artist, not just filmmaker.”
He then proceeded to offer some words of wisdom, digressing on his own creative process, specifically how he turns to his prized vinyl collection that’s stored in a room that reportedly looks like a vintage record shop.
“So much of [the movie’s language] revolves around a sound or a song,” he explained. “Before I’ve started, I’m seriously thinking about the music. I’m listening to a track and picturing everyone at the Cannes Palais just loving it.”
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As The Hollywood Reporter notes, his next film could take his audiences to 1930s Australia for a “Bonnie and Clyde-esque” tale, but he’s also obsessed with the year 1970 and how it was an influential time in the history of cinema. His research for the latter, however, may become “a book, a documentary, a five-part podcast.”
In other words, don’t get your hopes up on seeing him replace Tim Miller for Deadpool 2 or taking time out for an episode of Kevin Smith’s forthcoming Buckaroo Banzai series. As Kanye once said, “Know your worth!”
