LOS ANGELES, Nov 16 — Quentin Tarantino’s next movie will be set in Los Angeles in 1969, against the backdrop of the Charles Manson murders. US media reports that Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence and Samuel L. Jackson have been approached about roles in the picture.

Quentin Tarantino has reportedly finished writing his latest feature film, his ninth movie, following Western mystery flick The Hateful Eight, released in 2015. With filming scheduled for next year, the director is reportedly now busy working on recruiting the cast.

Reports have evoked Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio — who previously starred in Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained respectively — being lined up for the project for a while now. Talks are apparently also underway with Tom Cruise. Still, it’s unclear whether the actors have been approached for different parts or whether Tarantino is sounding all three out for one given role. Early rumours suggest the movie has just two male leads.

Margot Robbie has apparently been offered the part of Sharon Tate, Roman Polanski’s former wife who was murdered in 1969 in the couple’s Los Angeles home while eight months pregnant. The actress was killed by members of a cult led by Charles Manson. The role is reported to have previously been offered to Jennifer Lawrence.

The movie’s exact plot is still unclear at this stage of development. Quentin Tarantino has evoked a film set in Los Angeles in 1969 against the backdrop of Charles Manson, his cult and the murders he committed.

The movie is expected to start filming in mid-2018 for release in 2019. The director has also had to find a new producer for his ninth, as yet untitled, movie, following the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The filmmaker has picked British producer David Heyman, who worked on the Harry Potter films. Now, Quentin Tarantino simply has to find a financial backer for the movie, but that shouldn’t be difficult, since almost every Hollywood studio — with the exception of Disney — is reportedly interested in the project. — AFP-Relaxnews