Django Unchained (2012)

[Drudge]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

He's an incredible actor...

I disagree but I would still see the movie on account its a Tarantino production.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Drudge

I disagree but I would still see the movie on account its a Tarantino production.

When he really acts, I think he can be. Ali and I Am Legend are the ones I'm thinking of. I always liked him best in things like that.

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

They were both probably up for the villain. Scheduling conflicts is probably why they turned it down.

Nah they were up for the role of Christoph Waltz but they turned it down maybe for scheduling conflicts but is Leo doing anything at the moment?

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

Nah they were up for the role of Christoph Waltz but they turned it down maybe for scheduling conflicts but is Leo doing anything at the moment?

He's working with Scorsese again on a film about Wall Street and I think he's still doing The Great Gatsby

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Slashfilm

Sony Will Co-Finance Tarantino’s ‘Django Unchained;’ Is Will Smith Ready to Sign?

The pieces are falling into place for Quentin Tarantino‘s new ‘Southern,’ Django Unchained. The Weinstein Company will have North American rights, and now Sony will co-finance the production and handle international distribution in 2012. The key fact of Sony’s participation reportedly is the fact that Will Smith has his home at the studio. Quentin Tarantino really wants Will Smith to play Django, the slave who is freed by a German bounty hunter who needs Django to ID three slaver brothers. But is he actually going to take the role?

We know that Christoph Waltz is likely to be German bounty hunter and Django’s initial liberator Dr. King Schultz. (He more or less has to be — the role was very obviously written for him.) Samuel L. Jackson is reportedly in talks to be Stephen, the chief household slave and unlikely confidant of the film’s big villain, Monsieur Calvin Candie. No word yet on who’ll play Candie; if Powers Boothe hadn’t already been a megalomaniac saloon owner in Deadwood he’d be ideal, but this character would cut a little close to that one. Still, think along those lines. And while Sam Jackson is pretty much who you’d figure QT’s go-to guy for Stephen would be, I’d almost rather see John Witherspoon, in part because this character reminded me so much of a slightly younger Granddad from The Boondocks.

Back to the lead: the role would be a massive change for Will Smith. This is going to be a very down and dirty revenge movie, although there are triumphant beats and a climax that will be a killer if Quentin Tarantino shoots it right. But the Django character is also very much a product of the slave-owning South (people who recoil at the very mention of the word ‘******’ are going to find this one extremely difficult) and, possibly most important, there are many character beats for which the actor playing Django will have to rely on Quentin Tarantino to provide with image and music. If Will Smith doesn’t feel like he can trust Tarantino here, it’ll never happen.

And then there is the question of whether Will Smith is really suited for the role. Reading it with him in mind I kept running into dissonant moments — not only would this be a change of pace for the actor in terms of the type of material he plays, but also in the way he has to play it. Will Smith’s blockbuster tricks have to go out the window. The Playlist suggested The Wire‘s Michael K. Williams, and, yes, he is just as perfect for it as he is unlikely. There are a lot of actors who would work, but QT is evidently thinking very big here. Indeed, Django Unchained could reinvent Will Smith, but given that the actor is making Men in Black III right now, you’ve got to wonder if that’s something that interests him at all.

Source

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by csdot

if anyone could make me care about a Will Smith movie, its Tarantino. he knows how to cast his movies, if he thinks hes the right man for the part then im sure it will be awesome.

I think Chiwetel Ejiofor would have been an amazing and superior choice for Django. He showed with Redbelt that given the right material he can be brilliant, but he needs that one big break and has been relatively stuck with crap movies since then. I've never been a fan of Will Smith and have yet to look forward to a single movie he's done, but QT usually knows what he's doing with casting so whatever, I'll sit back and see how this develops. Maybe if Will stays busy it'll keep his mind off making sure his children remake and destroy all the good 80's movies.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

I think Chiwetel Ejiofor would have been an amazing and superior choice for Django. He showed with Redbelt that given the right material he can be brilliant, but he needs that one big break and has been relatively stuck with crap movies since then. I've never been a fan of Will Smith and have yet to look forward to a single movie he's done, but QT usually knows what he's doing with casting so whatever, I'll sit back and see how this develops. Maybe if Will stays busy it'll keep his mind off making sure his children remake and destroy all the good 80's movies.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is a GREAT suggestion. Maybe if Will Smith isn't available (MIB III) or can't come to an agreement, QT will look at him or other Worthy Actors (DON CHEADLE anyone?)

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

Chiwetel Ejiofor is a GREAT suggestion. Maybe if Will Smith isn't available (MIB III) or can't come to an agreement, QT will look at him or other Worthy Actors (DON CHEADLE anyone?)

I like Chiewetel but I want either Denzel or Cheadle to be the lead. I'm fine with Smith it'll bring his career back and be a good role for him to show his roots in. I never expected Pitt to act in a Tarantino film but he did and did a good job at it.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

I like Chiewetel but I want either Denzel or Cheadle to be the lead. I'm fine with Smith it'll bring his career back and be a good role for him to show his roots in. I never expected Pitt to act in a Tarantino film but he did and did a good job at it.

I Love most anything Denzel does, but still think Don Cheadle could kill it.

Personally, I think Denzel's too Big a name, & more importanly, he may be too old for this Character, based on what the script/story is.

Quentin Tarantino really wants Will Smith to play Django, the slave who is freed by a German bounty hunter who needs Django to ID three slaver brothers.

[Walts Ghost]

I've been reading the script and I have to say, I can see why Taranatino wants Smith for the role. This would really be different for him, which would be great. I mean, I love his movies, but the best ones are where he really gets to act. Ali, Six Degrees of Separation, I am Legend, The Legend of Bagger Vance to name a few. But this could be HUGE for him. I can see him clear as day as Django, it seems it was written for him in my mind. Tarantino has never been wrong with a casting choice before, so I'm looking forward to seeing this come together.

[jvince]

Leo to be cast as the baddie? Damn, this is getting bigger and bigger.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

I like Chiewetel but I want either Denzel or Cheadle to be the lead. I'm fine with Smith it'll bring his career back and be a good role for him to show his roots in. I never expected Pitt to act in a Tarantino film but he did and did a good job at it.

Career back? It hasn't gone anywhere money wise.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Collider

Leonardo DiCaprio Is Closer to Quentin Tarantino’s DJANGO UNCHAINED Than Will Smith; Idris Elba, Chris Tucker, Jamie Foxx Now Rumored for Django

No actor is officially confirmed for Django Unchained, the latest from Quentin Tarantino, but the cast is starting to take shape. According to Deadline, Christoph Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson are expected to sign on. Leonardo DiCaprio is about to enter negotiations to play the villain, . That doesn’t give us the titular character, though. Will Smith was the first major contender for the role of Django, “a slave who is liberated and taught the tricks of the trade by a German dentist-turned-bounty hunter (Waltz).” Negotiations are stuck in first gear, and we’re probably kidding ourselves to expect the super image-conscious Smith to sign on for such a gleefully controversial role.

Deadline hears Smith likely won’t sign on; possible replacements include Idris Elba, Chris Tucker, and Jamie Foxx. That’s an eclectic list, somewhere between intriguing and Name Three Black Actors Who Aren’t Will Smith That Headlined Box Office Hits in the Past Decade.

The Elba rumor struck me as silly when it first surfaced. I mean, I’d cast him in a heartbeat. But the way we collectively insisted on connecting the dots… I suppose the guesswork was spot on, though — at least that he’s talking to the filmmakers.

Jackie Brown is, notably, the last film Tucker acted in that doesn’t belong to the Rush Hour franchise. He would certainly do something interesting with the role, but I am frightened by the possibilities.

Foxx is a fine choice. But of the candidates rumored so far, we all want Elba, right?

In terms of white people, I really want to see DiCaprio take this on. DiCaprio was an early candidate for Hans Landa for Inglourious Basterds before the role went to Waltz. Calvin Candie, the part DiCaprio has his eye on, is said to be Landa’s equal:

For how much anger drives his performance, how has DiCaprio yet to play a straight-up villain?

I wrote more than I meant to for this article, and close feeling like I ought to write more. This project is sneakily fascinating, even prior to any official news.

Source

Wow, DiCaprio as the bad guy. Elba as the hero. Waltz and Sam Jackson as well? The cast that is shaping up is amazing! I can't wait!

DiCaprio is a perfect choice for Candie. After reading the script, I can absolutely see him in the role. And Elba would be a better Django than Will Smith, so I really hope he gets the role instead.

[Idioteque...]

Elba is a good actor but he doesn't excite me as say someone with Will Smith potential Elba I can see playing a badass but I'm interested in seeing other actors who are terrific but cannot see in this role do or just cast Denzel who is the best living black actor haha.


But Tucker wow, I could see him as a sidekick but him as the lead, uhm I just can't see it, is the character supposed to be hilarious?

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

But Tucker wow, I could see him as a sidekick but him as the lead, uhm I just can't see it, is the character supposed to be hilarious?

No, not really...I mean, there is aspects of comedy, sure. It's a Tarantino movie. But it's not a character that is supposed to make us end up rolling on the floor. Tucker would be a terrible choice...The other thing is they could be leaking names like that to push Smith closer to signing on the dotted line. If they start leaking that they're looking at other actors, he might jump on it right away so they can get their first choice and he doesn't lost the role.

[Aerodude73]

Will Smith was the first major contender for the role of Django, “a slave who is liberated and taught the tricks of the trade by a German dentist-turned-bounty hunter (Waltz).” Negotiations are stuck in first gear, and we’re probably kidding ourselves to expect the super image-conscious Smith to sign on for such a gleefully controversial role.

Deadline hears Smith likely won’t sign on; possible replacements include Idris Elba, Chris Tucker, and Jamie Foxx. That’s an eclectic list, somewhere between intriguing and Name Three Black Actors Who Aren’t Will Smith That Headlined Box Office Hits in the Past Decade.

If the above is True about Will Smith, he needs to man up & grow a pair. Does he want to have a career of playing it safe or take a few risks here & there? I'd LOVE for Quentin to sign IDRIS ELBA & be done with it. I've seen him in many a varied role & that dude can flat out ACT. Chris Tucker? As John McEnroe once famously said, "You Can't be SERIOUS?!" Jamie Foxx, , at least we know he Can act, but I'm mainly hoping Elba gets cast.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

If the above is True about Will Smith, he needs to man up & grow a pair. Does he want to have a career of playing it safe or take a few risks here & there? I'd LOVE for Quentin to sign IDRIS ELBA & be done with it. I've seen him in many a varied role & that dude can flat out ACT. Chris Tucker? As John McEnroe once famously said, "You Can't be SERIOUS?!" Jamie Foxx, , at least we know he Can act, but I'm mainly hoping Elba gets cast.

Like I said, I'm wondering if them throwing out the other names is to scare Smith into signing. It's an idea anyway, and it wouldn't be the first time a studio pulled that.

[broganreynik]

I know it'll never happen, but I think Nelsan Ellis (True Blood) would be fantastic as Django.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Slashfilm

Rumors: Jamie Foxx is Frontrunner for ‘Django Unchained’ Lead, Leonardo DiCaprio “Definitely Signed”

One of the hottest films casting at the moment is Quentin Tarantino‘s spaghetti Western-influenced ‘Southern,’ Django Unchained. Previous Tarantino collaborators Samuel L. Jackson and Christoph Waltz are already on board and Leonardo DiCaprio is rumored to join. However, one star that likely won’t be joining the party is Will Smith, who was previously reported as the frontrunner for the title role. Now a new report suggests that Jamie Foxx may be taking over the part originally intended for Smith, and that DiCaprio is “definitely signed” to play the villain.

Showbiz 411 (via The Playlist) dropped the tantalizing bits in a brief item yesterday, but it’s worth taking both pieces of news with a grain of salt as they don’t mention where they got their intel. (Though they mention speaking with Jackson, they do not name him as the source for either piece of news.) The DiCaprio news is good to hear, if not surprising. If the news about Foxx is true, he seems like a solid choice. Foxx has already demonstrated his dramatic acting chops with his notable turns in Ray and Showgirls, and he’s a bigger, more prestigious name than either Idris Elba or Chris Tucker, both of whom were also up for the Django part.

The plot of the historical revenge flick revolves around Django, a freed slave turned bounty hunter who teams up with another bounty hunter in order to save his wife from an evil plantation owner. Waltz will play the other bounty hunter, a German former dentist named Dr. King Schultz, and DiCaprio’s role will be that of villain Calvin Candie. Jackson has the part of Stephen, Calvin Candie’s head house slave and confidant.

Soucre

[Mandalorian]

Nothing wrong with that. He's a fantastic actor. Really puts all other black actors who started off in comedy sitcoms and music (aka most black actors) to shame, besides maybe the other guy who was in talks to play the role first.