Bruce Dern is set to replace the late Burt Reynolds in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming film based on the Manson Family murders, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
As reported by Deadline, Dern will play the role of George Spahn, a rancher who owned Spahn Ranch in California and rented the venue out for filmmakers to shoot western movies. Spahn is now mostly known for allowing the Manson Family cult to reside at Spahn Ranch, and the murders of actress Sharon Tate and many others were allegedly planned at this location.
Dern became friends with Reynolds after co-starring in two films with him: the western TV movie Hard Ground, and the action TV movie Hard Time. Dern has also worked with Tarantino in his latest two films, playing General Sandy Smithers in The Hateful Eight, and Old Man Carrucan in Django Unchained.
Source: IGN.com Bruce Dern Replaces Burt Reynolds in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood