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As ‘Chinatown’ Turns 50, Robert Towne Reflects on His Netflix Prequel Plans With David Fincher and Writing Jack Nicholson’s Most Iconic Role
"Chinatown" screenwriter Robert Towne recalls crafting J.J. Gittes for Jack Nicholson and teases his Netflix prequel series with David Fincher.
In the years ahead of production, Nicholson referred to “The Two Jakes” as part of a “triptych” of features, alluding to a potential third entry in a so-called “Chinatown” trilogy, which would have continued tracking the development and corruption of 20th century Los Angeles. “The Two Jakes” was released in 1990: the same year as another belated (but more awards-friendly) bite at the New Hollywood apple, Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather Part III.” The sequel finds Gittes resettled in 1948 L.A. after serving in WWII. Now the owner of his own office building and a member of a country club, the private eye has grown complacent and, as the New York Times put it in its review, “older (and wider).” But when a new real estate conspiracy centered on oil deposits arises, Gittes becomes possessed by his latent morality once again, uncovering surprising ties back to the Cross case that haunts him.
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