Jungle Julia Lucai was a character in Quentin Tarantino's 5th film, Death Proof. She was a popular radio DJ in Austin, Texas, and one of the victims of Stuntman Mike.
She was portrayed by Sydney Tamiia Poitier.
Biography[]
Jungle Julia Lucai went to school with Pam from kindergarten through high school. According to Pam, Julia had already reached her adult height (6'0) at age 12 and bullied her and her other classmates frequently. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Julia moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where she became friends with Shanna and Arlene. Julia got into the local music scene after school was over, ultimately becoming a drive time D.J for the local oldies radio station Austin Hot Wax 505 and turning into one of the most popular local celebrities since Stevie Ray Vaughn in the process, also becoming proprietor of her record label.
On her birthday, Julia told the viewers of her morning radio show that she had a friend named "Butterfly" (Arlene) visiting from out of town and that if they recite the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" to her and call her by her nickname, she would give them a lap dance. Later that day, Arlene and Shanna drive to Julia's apartment to pick her up and celebrate her birthday. After contacting Lanna Frank for weed, the trio goes to Güeros for margaritas and Mexican food, where Julia tells Arlene about the radio prank, much to Arlene's annoyance. Now tipsy, the three of them go to Texas Chili Parlor and meet up with their dates, Omar, Pete, and Nate. Unbeknownst to the trio, Stuntman Mike had been stalking them for several days and had followed them from Güeros to Texas Chili Parlor. Throughout the night, Julia tries to contact a filmmaker she is intimate with, Christian Simonson, hoping that he would come to celebrate her birthday. However, Christian does not show up to the celebration, frustrating Julia and prompting her to send him a text calling him an "asshole." Eventually, Lanna Frank meets her at the bar, and Julia smokes weed with her and several other friends out on the porch. Stuntman Mike briefly introduces himself to Julia and inquires about her local celebrity status, and Julia finds his behavior strange.
Later in the evening, Julia comforts Arlene, who is dejected about the lack of men pursuing her for a lap dance, and Shanna joins the group to smoke weed. Stuntman Mike appears once again and introduces himself to a weary Arlene, who had been the only member of the trio to notice that he had been following them. Mike recites "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" to Arlene, refers to her as "Butterfly," and assures her that it was merely a coincidence that he had been at the same two places as the trio. He goads Arlene into giving him the lap dance, much to Julia's disapproval. Afterward, the trio leaves the bar and agree that Lanna is sober enough to be the designated driver to Shanna's father's lakehouse. Julia and Arlene tease Pam about accepting a ride from Stuntman Mike and then leave with Shanna and Lanna.
After killing Pam, Mike turns off his stunt car's headlights, passes Lanna's vehicle, and gets a distance ahead of her car. While Lanna drives, Julia requests the radio station to play "Hold Tight" by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, prompting the four friends to turn up the volume and enjoy the song. Mike makes a u-turn and drives full speed at Lanna's car. Julia sees Mike turn on his headlights seconds before he collides with them, and her legs get ripped from her body during the collision. Earl McGraw later confirms that she, Arlene, Shanna, and Lanna died in the accident.
Quotes[]
- Jungle Julia (to Stuntman Mike): You told me my feet were getting wet. Yes they are. Now I'm telling you. Dont worry about it."
- Jungle Julia (to Arlene): For your information, Pete Townsend, at one point, almost quit The Who. And if he had, he would have ended up in this group, thus making it Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, Tich and Pete. And if you ask me, he should have.
- Jungle Julia: Black men and a whole lota' mother fuckin' white men have had plenty fun adoring my ass. I don't wear their teeth marks on my butt for nothing.
Trivia[]
- Jungle Julia Lucai is named after Vickie Lucai, Quentin Tarantino's assistant.
- According to Tarantino, the Jungle Julia character has a extensive knowledge of music much like he has of films.
- Three different Jungle Julia billboards were shown in the film.
- The actress on the poster in Julia's apartment is Brigitte Bardot.
- Jungle Julia has a poster for the controversial 1970 revisionist Western Soldier Blue on the wall in her apartment.
- Julia allegedly likes to associate with famous men capable of propelling her career forward; Pam claims that she had sexual relations with one in order to get billboard advertisements
- She's also something of a pothead, judging from her associating with Lanna Frank and the fact that she owns a bong in her apartment.
- Many people consider her to be attractive, and she has had relationships with both Black and White men.
- According to the script, she is mulatta (biracial).