History Trivia / OnceUponATimeInHollywood

* CelebrityParadox: The novel specifies that the actor playing the outlaw "Businessman Bob" in the pilot for ''Lancer'' is Bruce Dern, who plays George Spahn.

* ProductionPosse: As usual, Tarantino brought some veterans of his filmography in -- Creator/BradPitt from ''Film/InglouriousBasterds'', Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio from ''Film/DjangoUnchained'', Creator/BruceDern from ''Django Unchained'' and ''Film/TheHatefulEight'', Creator/KurtRussell from ''Film/DeathProof'' and ''The Hateful 8'', Zoe Bell from ''Death Proof'' and ''Django Unchained'', and Creator/MichaelMadsen from ''Reservoir Dogs'', ''Kill Bill'' and ''The Hateful 8'', and Perla Haney-Jardine from ''Kill Bill''[[note]]who played the Bride's daughter BB[[/note]]. He also gave a small role to Maya Hawke, daughter of posse member Creator/UmaThurman. Two posse members, Creator/TimRoth and Creator/JamesRemar, had their scenes cut but still show up in the credits. Tarantino goes as far as lampshading this in the credits, grouping most of his regulars under the heading "The Gang".

-->'''Culkin:''' It was a disaster. I wouldn't have hired me. I'm terrible at auditioning anyway, and this was my first audition in like eight years.

** Creator/SamuelLJackson was in talks for a role.

** Korean-American Mike Moh as the Chinese-American Creator/BruceLee.

* DiagnoisisOfGod: Creator/QuentinTarantino told Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio to play Rick Dalton as having bi-polar disorder that he self-medicates with alcohol. This was inspired by actor Peter Duel.

** Rumours have circulated that Creator/JenniferLawrence was being considered for the role of Manson Family member Susan Atkins.
*** Quentin Tarantino revealed that Lawrence was initially offered the role of Squeaky Fromme.

** Tarantino considered including Jim Brown as a character, with Creator/JamieFoxx playing him. He does appear in the novelisation.

*** Quentin Tarantino revealed that Jennifer Lawrence was initially offered the role of Squeaky Fromme.

* RealLifeRelative: In the Latin American Spanish dub, José Luis Orozco voices Randy, while his son Luis Fernando plays Jay Sebring.

* {{Defictionalization}}: The ''Magazine/{{MAD}}'' issue that Cliff has of himself was designed by the actual artists at the magazine, who eventually [[https://www.madmagazine.com/blog/2019/07/23/mad-9-cover-reveal released a full version advertised as a special "Tarantino Time Warp Issue".]]

* WagTheDirector: The original script had Cliff outright winning against Creator/BruceLee with a cheap shot, but Creator/BradPitt himself objected to it, knowing full well how bad it could look even with Cliff being an UnreliableNarrator.

-->'''Culkin:''' It was a disaster. I wouldn’t have hired me. I’m terrible at auditioning anyway, and this was my first audition in like eight years.

** Quentin Tarantino revealed that Jennifer Lawrence was initially offered the role of Squeaky Fromme in 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood'.

* DiedDuringProduction:
** Creator/BurtReynolds was initially cast as George Spahn, but succumbed to a heart attack before shooting began. Creator/BruceDern replaced him in the role.
** Creator/LukePerry died in March 2019 from complications sustained after a massive stroke shortly before the film's release.

* RoleReprise: An odd case with Creator/DamonHerriman, who reprises his role as Charles Manson from ''Series/{{Mindhunter}}'' -- he apparently auditioned for each role separately, and just happened to have been cast in both by coincidence. He plays the younger Charlie here; in ''Mindhunter'', he plays Manson after decades in prison.

* DiedDuringProduction: Creator/BurtReynolds was initially cast as George Spahn, but succumbed to a heart attack before shooting began. Creator/BruceDern replaced him in the role.

* AuthorExistenceFailure: Creator/BurtReynolds was initially cast as George Spahn, but succumbed to a heart attack before shooting began. Creator/BruceDern replaced him in the role.

* ActingForTwo: In addition to his on-screen role, Creator/KurtRussell provides the voice of the off-screen narrator.

* DuelingWorks: This movie is actually the ''third'' in 2019 to take inspiration from the Manson Family murders. A few months previously came ''The Haunting of Sharon Tate'', a horror movie starring Creator/HilaryDuff that was panned upon release and quickly forgotten; and ''Charlie Says'', a drama starring Creator/MattSmith as Manson that received mixed reviews. There's also Season 2 of ''Series/{{Mindhunter}}'' which was released a few weeks later, in which the ''same actor'' that plays Manson in this film plays Manson.

* AbilityOverAppearance: Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio and Creator/BradPitt aren't all that similar looking, even though it's said a few times how great a much Rick's stuntman Cliff is for him. Few people critiqued this though, with both performances being highly acclaimed.

** A little RealitySubtext for Tarantino himself in Lancer director Sam, as Sam enthusiastically hires a veteran and actor and believes that they can be more than how they are perceived. Reflects his relationship to Creator/JohnTravolta, Creator/KurtRussell and Creator/PamGrier.
** A CastingGag in Creator/MayaHawke's character Flowerchild being uncomfortable with killing considering [[Creator/UmaThurman her mother]] is [[Film/KillBill The Bride]].

** Similarly, Madisen Beaty had previously played Patricia Krenwinkel in ''{{Series/Aquarius}}.''

* AbilityOverAppearance: Creator/[=LeonardoDiCaprio=] and Creator/BradPitt aren't all that similar looking, even though it's said a few times how great a much Rick's stuntman Cliff is for him. Few people critiqued this though, with both performances being highly acclaimed.

** Similarly, Madisen Beaty had previously played Patricia Krenwinkel in ''Series/Aquarius.''

* CameoProp: Film/TheMalteseFalcon seen in the book store visited by Tate is the real Maltese Falcon, now owned by Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio.