Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood has yet to be filmed, but it has already drawn heavy criticism due to its controversial subject matter.

The movie will focus on the fictional next door neighbours (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt) of the real-life Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who was murdered by members of Charles Manson’s “family” on 9 August 1969, when she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant with her first child. The film has been scheduled for release on the 50th anniversary of her death (2019) – a decision which has been slammed as “classless” and “exploitative” by Tate’s sister, Debra.

“[Quentin Tarantino and other producers] are taking horrific situations and making them even more graphic than they were without any concern for the living victims of these crimes and I think that’s horrible and crass,” she said.

Now, though, the film has come under criticism once again – this time due to Tarantino’s casting decisions.

Taking to Twitter, Jameela Jamil – perhaps now best known for playing Tahani in The Good Place – has slammed Tarantino for hiring Emile Hirsch, noting that the actor was arrested for attacking a woman three years ago.

“Cool,” wrote Jamil. “Emile Hirsch strangled my tiny female best friend until she blacked out at a party in front of dozens of witnesses at Sundance Film Festival (and was convicted) but Tarantino just cast him in a movie.”

Dubbing Tarantino’s movie a “case of rich white male privilege”, Jamil went on to implore with Hollywood directors to take note of the Time’s Up movement and “cast actors who haven’t assaulted any women”.

“Post Time’s Up, let’s stop calling the extreme abuse of women ‘mistakes’,” she wrote. “Let’s look at the Black Lives Matter movement and see how the law is less lenient on people of colour. Let’s watch how we punish women in media just for toxic words, but male physical violence is a MISTAKE?

“Let’s cast actors who haven’t assaulted any women, and teach the next generation that assaulting women isn’t just a “mistake”, it’s a career ending decision. People should absolutely be able to find jobs after prison, just not in huge Hollywood films being paid so well and treated like royalty.

“Let’s change our messaging and keep to the promises of the Time’s Up movement. To the actors in these films, don’t wear black to the awards ceremonies and wear your Time’s Up pins and then work alongside people who have abused women. Especially those who have made no reparations towards the victims whose lives they have derailed. Forgiveness shouldn’t be given to those who do not make every effort to make amends to the person they hurt, not just the judge.

“That’s the last I have to say on the matter.”

In 2015, Hirsch was convicted of assaulting a Paramount Pictures executive at a nightclub during the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. According to allegations, the actor “blindsided” Dani Bernfeld by putting her in a choke-hold and throwing her on the ground.

Hirsch had been drinking and said he didn’t remember the details of the attack, but he later pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanour assault.

Jamil continued that the attack left her friend with PTSD for three years. She also said the actor never paid for the woman’s treatment or apologised to her.

“Slow clap to everyone involved in this movie,” Jamil added. 

“So many other actors who haven’t attacked women to choose from …”

Image: Getty