Tarantino’s latest to be released on the 50th anniversary of Tate murders

The new film from writer-director Quentin Tarantino, which was recently acquired by Sony in a very competitive situation, has been rumored to be about Charles Manson, and while that's not exactly the case, there will be connections to the Manson Family story – the film is set in 1969 Los Angeles, and actress / Manson victim Sharon Tate is said to be a character in it.

Since the currently untitled film (it's being referred to as #9, which seems appropriate both because it's Tarantino's ninth film and because of Manson's twisted take on Beatles songs) does have those connections, Sony has announced that they'll be releasing it on August 9, 2019. That date marks the fiftieth anniversary of the night when members of the Manson family cult murdered a pregnant Sharon Tate and three of her friends, as well as a teenager who had been visiting a friend in Tate's guest house.

Margot Robbie is said to be Tarantino's top choice to play his version of Tate, while Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio are in the running to be the film's male leads.

According to Vanity Fair's sources, Tarantino's script 

focuses on a male TV actor who's had one hit series and is looking for a way to get into the film business. His sidekick — who's also his stunt double — is looking for the same thing. The horrific murder of Sharon Tate and her friends by Charles Manson's cult of followers serves as a backdrop to the main story. 

While searching for a studio home for #9, Tarantino had been asking for a budget around $100 million, first-dollar gross, and final cut.