Now that Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained has its script, we can expect a rush of quick casting news. These are going to be good days.
And surprising ones. According to THR’s Heat Vision, Tarantino wants Will Smith to play Django, the freed slave who wants to reunite with his wife, and take down an evil plantation owner, Monsieur Calvin Candie.
No offer has been made. No talks have taken place. Smith is said to have the script in hand, though. He has a busy plate, but I don’t think it will be too busy for this. I think he will end up being Django. Tarantino usually nabs his man.
Much to the surprise of no one, Samuel L. Jackson is also being courted for the role of Candie’s house slave, “an expert manipulator who will face off with Django.” Christoph Waltz, of the many denials, is still said to be in talks for the part of the German bounty hunter, who helps Django on his quest.
Obviously, this is all still very early. Jackson is probably a given, though, as is Waltz. Smith is a wild card. He hasn’t been on anyone’s “fantasy cast list” and I’m sure his name will provoke a few groans or mumbles of “I wanted Idris Elba!” disappointment. But casting is hardly Tarantino’s weak spot, and if he wants Smith, then I’m not going to argue. And it would be nice to walk out with a renewed appreciation for Smith, who was once someone I loved seeing onscreen. A badass role (a really badass role) is just what he needs, don’t you think?
20 comments
Come on, Smith, this will make up for Wild Wild West nicely.
I actually might like this choice. Smith could use this and seeing him( the “safe” african american actor) in a dangerous role like this could truly be inspired. I still had my hopes out for Eddie Murphy thought.
I was hoping for Levar Burton myself…
Robert Downey Jnr.
Haha. Yeah, how postmodern that would be.
My firs thought is “UGHHHHH”. But then I think, “What if Tarantino wrings a truly great performance out of Smith?” That would be awesome. Also, if he gets Smith he needs to get this released on 4th of July weekend. THAT would be beautiful.
Tarantino + Will = Brilliant!
I think the reasons why this could be great are exactly the reasons why Smith won’t do it.
I honestly think Smith has some great acting ability in him, but most of his roles squander it. I’d be very excited to see him in the role only for the idea that Tarantino would certainly get a good performance out of him.
The idea of RDJ is so wrong it’s right.
DT- I think you are right. Will Smith does not like risk, remember when he passed on the Matrix?
He doesn’t like risk? His first film role was as a gay con artist!
I trust the wisdom of QT.
Smith has a great deal of natural talent, but I long ago gave up on the idea he’ll ever again use it in an interesting way. ALI was over a decade ago, and since then it’s been a parade of ‘aw hell naws’ . I firmly believe that Smith would never attach himself to material this politically explosive. Ol’ Hitch has built his career on being completely inoffensive. He stands to polarize his white bread audience by participating in this film, and so while yes it would be great casting, I doubt Smith has the courage to involve himself in a project like this. He’s as safe and LCD a movie star as you’ll ever find
Good points Princess Kate. I don’t see Smith doing it either. However, the other possibility is Smith accepts the role on the proviso that Tarantino removes the most offensive aspects of his script. If Tarantino REALLY wants Smith (and it sounds like he does), he will oblige.
Thanks, MGR. IMHO, Tarantino is so enamored with his own writing and ideas (not a slam, just a statement of fact about a guy who concluded his last film with the lead character looking into the camera and declaring it to be his masterpiece), I have a hard time believing he’d significantly alter the narrative just to secure Smith’s participation. DiCaprio was Tarantino’s original vision for Hans Landa, but scheduling didn’t work out and so instead a partnership with his new BFF Mr Waltz began. I imagine if Smith demanded too much creative control, Tarantino would look elsewhere. That’s all just speculation on my part though, and I will restate my original thesis that Smith would make a cracker jack lead if he were ever to take the gig. I just don’t see that happening, is the thing. Anyway, time will tell
Say what you want about Will Smith, but you can’t deny that he’s great at dialogue. The bastard can make the worst lines work, I’m kinda rooting for him to nail some Tarantino wordy machismo.
This could so be the best real role for Smith, an actor whom I was a fan of early on, but who has come to represent that same tired homogenized archetype of The Jive-Talking Humorous Hero, which unfortunately has made him a caricature of his own potential. I mean, sure, he’s got a family to raise and all, but it’s sad when your wife has bigger balls than you do (she was so awesome in the Matrix movies). C’mon Will, live up to your coolness threshold for once.
I still really want Tarantino to work with Harrison Ford.
I see your Robert Downey Jr. and raise you a C. Thomas Howell.
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