Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Charles Manson actor claims Quentin Tarantino cut 'quite a lot' from new movie
A lot of scenes did not make the final edit, claims Damon Herriman
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Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
The actor who stars as Charles Manson in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood has claimed the director “cut quite a lot” of scenes out of the new film.
Damon Herriman, who also played the cult leader in Netflix’s Mindhunter, told Entertainment Weekly: “He did cut quite a lot out of the film [as a whole]. The stuff I got to do in that was lighter and more of a fun tone, whereas in Mindhunter, Manson is in jail and he’s bitter and he’s angry at the world.”
Herriman was reluctant to elaborate on what else was shot and then cut by Tarantino.
“With Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” he said, “it’s hard to talk about in too much detail without referencing another scene that we shot, which I probably shouldn’t talk about.
“That may make an appearance at some point and I don’t want to spoil it for people.”
He added: “Certainly, with what I shot in total, the direction was more in line with the tone of the particular scene, which is a more humorous scene than anything I did in Mindhunter.”
On being cast as Manson twice, Herriman commented: “I’m not complaining because, obviously, it was an opportunity to work with two of the greatest filmmakers of their generation. So, I’m way happier than I am weirded out.”
However, Herriman admitted he did have “mixed feelings” about his double casting at first. “I can’t say no to auditioning for Quentin Tarantino, but I also know that it’s highly unlikely that he’s going to cast the same guy who’s already playing this character,” he said. “As it turns out, he didn’t mind.”
On whether he would play Manson a third time, he said: “Never say never, but I think that would be highly unlikely and probably very stupid of me… I’ve had my fair share of Manson.”
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood has received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Reviewing for The Independent, Clarisse Loughrey gave the film three stars and called it an "unharmonious clash of ideas", while praising the performances of Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.
However, she criticised Tarantino for making Sharon Tate's story "about Rick and Cliff, and everything they represent".
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