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Will Smith Said to Be Frontrunner for Tarantino's 'Django Unchained'
by Alex Billington
May 6, 2011
Source: THR
Did not see this coming, but I'll be damned if it isn't great news. THR is already reporting casting rumors for Quentin Tarantino's upcoming spaghetti western Django Unchained, which was revealed earlier this week. Apparently Tarantino wants Will Smith to star as Django, a freed slave in the Old South who is trained by a German bounty hunter to save his wife. No official offer has been made and Tarantino is only arranging meetings, but of course this is big, because Will Smith is a guaranteed worldwide box office draw. Samuel L. Jackson and Christoph Waltz also circling lead roles, THR says. That's a stellar cast so far.
Seriously, who wouldn't want to see Will Smith and Sam Jackson in a western from Quentin Tarantino?! The news comes from sources in studios who have been told that "Tarantino would like Smith to star in the film." Anne Thompson on indieWIRE comments on the casting, asking: "How much fun will audiences have watching this black hero come into his own, shooting white bad guys on horseback, and angrily paying back years of horror? Are we ready for this movie? It will knock a hole in the culture in more ways than one. And I cannot wait. The script is incendiary." If he actually gets Smith to star in this, it will be huge, but will he agree to something that is not so family friendly? Apparently it is just as violent as Inglorious Basterds.
The role Samuel Jackson is said to be circling is that of the house slave to Monsieur Calvin Candie, a plantation owner and the villain of the film. Jackson's character is apparently a "expert manipulator" and will face off with Django. Not only have I heard great things from those who have been lucky enough to read the script, but even the possibility of seeing Will Smith in a role like this is exhilarating. Maybe I'm just a Tarantino fanboy finally happy to see him reach heights in Hollywood high enough to land Will Smith, or maybe I'm just excited to see Will Smith in something good again, since he hasn't been in a movie since Seven Pounds in 2008. Either way, we'll keep you updated on all the Django Unchained buzz in Hollywood.
30 Comments
1
First
sooner32 on May 7, 2011
2
Also, I cannot wait to see this movie!!! It's still really early, but anything Tarantino does, I am excited to go and see. Thanks for the updates and please keep them coming.
sooner32 on May 7, 2011
3
Surprising...to say the least. Inspired sure.
Xerxexx on May 7, 2011
4
Amazing how fast his projects come together. He writes a script on spec, then a week later he's nearly got an entire cast. This'll be amazing, no doubt.
Guest2 on May 7, 2011
5
Wow. I actually would kind of like to see Will Smith in a Tarantino flick. Here's hoping it happens.
SkaOreo on May 7, 2011
6
I dig Will Smith and all, but this isn't going to be PG13. I doubt he'd be a part of it. Seven Pounds was a great film, and proved to me he could play a character other than Will Smith. I think if he is up to going balls-out, he could pull it off.
grimjob on May 7, 2011
7
Well said.
Ron on May 7, 2011
8
I think will smith could be great in the role if he goes back to his bad ass violent cuss up a storm days like in bad boys. It's not like the guy hasn't ever come out in some r rated flicks and not been a complete badass. I'm excited to see taritino n will smith paired up.
Kpo2345 on May 9, 2011
9
idris elba. the only black actor in my eyes that could create a character worth watching over and over again opposite christopher waltz.
peter on May 7, 2011
10
Yes, if Will Smith doesn't do it then Ideis Elba would be great in a Tarantino film.
The_Kid89 on May 9, 2011
11
I love Tarantino
Stephie0214 on May 7, 2011
12
Give me a break what is a black man going to do in a western pick up horse shit.
Bill on May 7, 2011
13
ban this fucker
bucker96 on May 7, 2011
14
Cold comment, but I laughed hard! 🙂
Blue Silver on May 7, 2011
15
That would be great! Didn't see that one coming, but that definitely would be interesting to see.
Moutchy on May 7, 2011
16
Bring this motherfucker on!
Hattori Hanzo on May 7, 2011
17
Ban Bill!!!!
Jseathroo on May 7, 2011
18
I wouldn't cast Will Smith, but if he does please just DON'T include his son in this too!
David Perretta on May 7, 2011
19
My sentiments exactly. Casting Will would be cool, as long as 1.) Tarantino doesn't cast Will's obnoxious, arrogant kid. 2.) The film doesn't resemble the atrocious 'Wild, Wild West'. (don't even have Barry Sonnenfeld anywhere near this.) 3.) Tarantino casts (resurrects) another faded action star, this would be inspiring. ....Heck, even cast Clint Eastwood in cameo, that would be so appropriate!
Blue Silver on May 7, 2011
20
tarantino , sam jackson, will smith. IM ALL IN!!!!
Mikeone on May 7, 2011
21
I dont worry about tarantinos casting EVER, I think he has more than proven his ability to get amazing performances from people everyone is used to seeing. You never see familiar actors doing their usual styles in his flics, they completely transform. I cant wait to see whatever he decides to do next and I look forward to it with anticipation. I'll watch it over and over in the theater just like I have all his other work.
Lando on May 7, 2011
22
No,please, no. I am so over Will Smith. He hasn't done anything for awhile, and that's refreshing...let the hiatus last a little looonger. There's plenty of black actors...Don Cheadle, Lance Reddick, Chiewetel Ejiofor, hell... even Nick Cannon. Please no Will Smith...
kitano0 on May 7, 2011
23
WOW! Sounds interesting! Will Smith possibly being trained by Christopher Waltz in a western by Tarantino, what's not to like?I hope Samuel L is the bad guy too in this...
jah p on May 7, 2011
24
omg QT must be smoking some good stuff cuz, Will Smith is a joke.
happy camper on May 8, 2011
25
please let it be Sam J I'm so over Will Smith
XXX BLK on May 8, 2011
26
After reading the script I think Smith and Waltz are perfect for the roles. It's an amazing homage to the classic Django starring Frank Nero, but it in itself is it's own film with that classic Tarantino style we have all come to love. Now here's hoping for a Tarantino sci-fi film!
Shatnersghost on May 8, 2011
27
that would be awesome a Tarantino Sci Fi Film, i hope he one day he makes a kung fu movie 😉 honestly is just want him to work with Jackie Chan, i think that will be Epic!!!
Rey on May 8, 2011
28
i really cannot wait for this movie to come out and then after this, tarantino will work on kill bill 3 🙂
Rey on May 8, 2011
29
Smith has talent and star power. He seems to like variety. Could work well. Like to see the reunion of Jackson and Tarantino more though.
Quazzimotto on May 8, 2011
30
"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee're goooooo-in straight, too... (*the wild wild west)." sorry, couldnt help it. I dunno. Will could pull it off. We all know that, but he's gotta be super gritty... Tarantino gritty for it to work. One final note, happy to see this getting done so finally 'Posse' can have some company.
Anonymous on May 10, 2011
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