Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Cast for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2"
Filming is scheduled to begin in July
Production of the sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2: The Continuing Adventures Of Cliff Booth" under David Fincher continues to make progress: according to Deadline magazine, "Aquaman" actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has now been cast for a role.
The exact role is still under wraps. However, first insiders are reporting that his character is based on football legend and acting icon Jim Brown – a man who gave up his sports career to gain a foothold in Hollywood. Alongside him, we will also see Elizabeth Debicki and Scott Caan in the sequel. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has already impressed in a number of productions, including "Candyman" and "The Matrix Resurrections". He will also feature in the planned Marvel series "Wonder Man".
"The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth" is set to take place eight years after "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". Brad Pitt's Booth was still a stuntman in the first movie. In the sequel, he will now be working as a fixer in Hollywood. Fixers discreetly deal with delicate matters in the entertainment industry. However, not much more has been revealed about the plot. Filming is scheduled to begin in July 2025. There is no release date yet.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: An Actor Between Blockbuster and Character Cinema
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is one of the most versatile actors of his generation. In just a few years, he has developed from a newcomer to a sought-after leading actor in Hollywood – with roles in superhero films, dramas, thrillers and award-winning series. His talent, physical presence and palpable depth in portraying complex characters make him one of the most exciting faces in modern cinema.
The Breakthrough: "The Get Down" and "Aquaman"
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II made his screen debut in 2017 in Baz Luhrmann's Netflix series "The Get Down", in which he stood out as the charismatic politician and club owner Cadillac. Even here, it was possible to see the self-image with which he can embody characters who balance between power, seduction and the abyss. It was not only a strong start, but also a clear statement: Abdul-Mateen is not a typical supporting actor – he brings his own gravitas to the role.
He celebrated his big mainstream breakthrough in 2018 with the role of the villain Black Manta in James Wan's DC blockbuster "Aquaman". Alongside Jason Momoa, he brought an irrepressible physical presence to the screen without reducing his character to pure action. His portrayal of a vengeful antagonist with an emotional background also made him indispensable for future sequels in the DC universe.
Between Action and Ambition: "Us", "The Trial of the Chicago 7" and "Candyman"
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II managed early on to avoid being tied down to blockbuster roles. Although he only had a supporting role in Jordan Peele's horror film "Us" (2019), his presence was striking – as it was in many of his appearances. The real proof of his versatility came in 2020 with "The Trial of the Chicago 7", in which he played civil rights activist Bobby Seale under the direction of Aaron Sorkin. He was critically acclaimed for his performance. The role demanded an intensive examination of racism, judicial arbitrariness and the political present – topics that Abdul-Mateen took up with great seriousness.
In 2021, he took on the lead role in "Candyman", a modern sequel to the horror classic of the same name. Directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by Jordan Peele, "Candyman" was not only celebrated as a scary movie, but also as a socially critical work that deals with gentrification and violence against black communities. Abdul-Mateen carries the film for long stretches and proves that he can also handle complex stories as a leading man.
Science Fiction and Superheroes: "The Matrix Resurrections" and "Watchmen"
In "The Matrix Resurrections" (2021), Abdul-Mateen took on the role of the new Morpheus – a task that was not only associated with high expectations, but also with the legacy of Laurence Fishburne. Abdul-Mateen made a conscious decision to give his interpretation his own touch. In a visually dense and philosophically charged movie, he was a fixed point between nostalgia and redefinition.
He celebrated one of his greatest critical successes with the HBO series "Watchmen" (2019), for which he was awarded an Emmy. His role as Cal Abar – who turns out to be none other than Dr. Manhattan in the course of the series – required a complex interplay of identity, emotion and superhuman detachment. Abdul-Mateen achieved the feat of making a supernatural figure tangible in a deeply human way.
Conclusion: A Star With Attitude
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II embodies modern Hollywood – diverse, self-confident and sophisticated. He chooses his projects carefully and manages to set standards in blockbusters as well as indie films and series. His career is still in its infancy, but it is already clear that he is an actor who not only tells stories, but also helps to shape them. And we'll be seeing a lot more of that in the future.
