Brad Pitt Reflects on 'Greatest Moment' with Late Burt Reynolds in 'Once Upon a Time' Book

In November 2025, a new book titled 'The Making of Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood' is set to be released, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the 2019 Quentin Tarantino film. The book features insights from the cast and crew, including a poignant reflection from Brad Pitt on his brief but memorable experience working with the late Burt Reynolds.

Pitt, who was 61 years old at the time, described acting with Reynolds as "one of the greatest moments I have ever had in this industry." Reynolds, who passed away in September 2018 at the age of 82, was originally cast in the film as George Spahn, a character central to the story. Sadly, Reynolds did not live to see the film's release, but he did participate in rehearsals for his scenes with Pitt and others.

According to Tarantino, 62, the last performance Reynolds ever gave was during those rehearsals, where he delivered Pitt's lines. "To put the cherry on top of this entire poignant episode involving myself and Burt Reynolds and his involvement with Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, the last performance Burt Reynolds ever gave was saying my lines when Brad acted with him, with me directing during our rehearsal," Tarantino shared in the book. "It was the last role Burt ever did."

The loss of the Hollywood legend was deeply felt by the cast and crew, who had been thrilled to work with Reynolds. Pitt summed up the sentiment, saying, "To spend time with Burt Reynolds over those days was just f------ everything, man. He was the guy and there will never be anybody like him."