Brad Pitt Explains Why the Bruce Lee Fight Did Not Sit Right With Him

When Once Upon a Time in Hollywood came out in 2019, one scene quickly became the most talked-about moment in the film. The sequence showed Brad Pitt’s character, stuntman Cliff Booth, getting into a fight with Bruce Lee. What followed sparked backlash that is still discussed years later.

The scene shows Booth and Lee facing off on a movie set in a best-of-three fight. They trade wins before the fight is stopped by a crew member. Many viewers felt the portrayal made Bruce Lee look arrogant and weak. His daughter, Shannon Lee, publicly criticized the scene soon after the film’s release.

Behind the scenes, the moment almost played out very differently. According to Robert Alonzo, the film’s co-stunt coordinator, the original script written by Quentin Tarantino had Cliff Booth clearly beating Bruce Lee. Alonzo shared this information in interviews after the controversy began.

Alonzo explained that Brad Pitt was not fully comfortable with that version of the scene. Pitt reportedly felt uneasy about his character clearly defeating someone as respected and skilled as Bruce Lee. During rehearsals, Pitt raised his concerns and questioned whether that outcome felt right.

After those discussions, Tarantino agreed to change the scene. The longer fight was cut down, and the ending was made more unclear. Instead of a clear winner, the fight stops before either man can fully prove himself. The goal was to soften the moment and avoid showing Lee as outright losing.

Even with those changes, the criticism did not fade. Shannon Lee said in interviews that seeing her father portrayed that way was really disheartening and unnecessary. She added that it felt like he was being used as a punching bag to make another character look tough.

Tarantino defended the scene publicly. He said the fight was meant to show how dangerous Cliff Booth was, not to insult Bruce Lee. He also pointed out that the movie is a work of fiction and not a historical retelling. This approach fits his style, as he has often rewritten history in films like Inglourious Basterds.

Today, Brad Pitt continues to build on the Cliff Booth character. According to recent industry reports, he is set to star in The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a sequel directed by David Fincher and expected later this year. The film will explore more of Booth’s past and expand Tarantino’s Hollywood universe.

Pitt is also active behind the camera. Through his company Plan B Entertainment, he is producing new projects, including an upcoming A24 film called The Riders with director Edward Berger.

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