Quentin Tarantino’s genius in the world of cinema isn’t limited to the films he’s made. He’s also a walking encyclopedia of film history, using his movies not only to express his artistic sensibilities but also as a canvas to pay homage to the greats and works that have influenced him. But what about the hidden connections between his films? That’s where things get even more intriguing!
As you may know, much of Tarantino’s filmography exists within the same universe. For instance, his breakthrough film Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction share the same continuity. Why? Because in Reservoir Dogs, we meet Victor “Vic” Vega / Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen), and in Pulp Fiction, we see his brother, Vincent Vega (John Travolta). Tarantino even had plans for a “Vega Brothers” movie centered around these siblings, but sadly, it never saw the light of day. Oh, what we missed!
“Vega Brothers”: A Plan Born in Amsterdam!
This planned film was even reportedly called Double V Vega at one point! It was envisioned as a prequel, diving into the brothers’ past. The story would have been set in a period when the two brothers, freshly out of prison, opened a club in Amsterdam. Vincent Vega’s mention in Pulp Fiction of having just returned from Amsterdam planted the seeds for this idea. It’s as if Vincent was teasing us with, “Man, if only you knew what went down in Amsterdam—ask my brother!”
Here’s where it gets even juicier: Michael Madsen actually turned down the role of Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction due to his commitment to Wyatt Earp. Had he taken the role, the Vega brothers concept might never have surfaced—unless, of course, Tarantino had planned for him to play both parts. With John Travolta stepping into Vincent’s shoes, the possibility of a spin-off emerged, leaving fans salivating!
Twin Brothers and Revenge Schemes!
As time passed, the actors aged, and the prequel idea lost its feasibility since both characters die in their respective films. But Tarantino, ever the genius with a touch of madness, devised a brilliant yet wild solution: the film would focus on Vic and Vincent’s twin brothers! These twins would meet after their siblings’ deaths, embarking on a quest for revenge. Michael Madsen confirmed this, saying, “Quentin came up with an idea where Vic and Vincent’s twin brothers meet after their deaths. It was very complicated, but when Quentin gets into discussing an idea, it’s so easy to go along with him.”
Just imagine the scene: “Wait, hold up! You killed my brother?!” kicking off a sequence filled with Tarantino’s signature razor-sharp dialogue. Perhaps the twins would don their brothers’ iconic outfits, chasing vengeance in true Tarantino style!
Ultimately, the Vega Brothers film never materialized as Tarantino’s focus shifted to other projects in the 1990s, like writing From Dusk Till Dawn (in which he also starred) and directing Jackie Brown. By 2007, Tarantino revisited the project, reiterating the prequel concept and the twins’ revenge arc, but admitted the actors were “too old for it” by then. Like many great directors’ projects, this one was sidelined by the passage of time and other creative endeavors.
What a shame! A Vega Brothers film could have given us iconic lines to quote for years. Maybe we’d have heard a monologue starting with, “How far would you go for a cheeseburger, brother?” At the very least, this story proves once again just how rich Tarantino’s mind is and how intricately connected his cinematic universe remains!
What do you think?
Show comments / Leave a comment