In a recent interview with Playboy, Quentin Tarantino talked extensively about his upcoming film Django Unchained, where he went into particulars about his first choice for casting the lead for the project. The director mentioned various big stars, which may or may not have been a good choice for the part. Even though the film hasn’t come out yet, there are several trailers circling around the internet which displays Jamie Foxx in the lead role in the film. In comparing Foxx to Tarantino’s first choices, one could actually pick their favorite by using the histories of the other actors. So, did Tarantino make the best casting choice in picking Foxx to play Django?
First, Will Smith was Tarantino’s first choice for the part of Django.
“We spent quite a few hours together over a weekend when he was in New York doing Men in Black III,” says Tarantino about Will Smith. “I think half the process was an excuse for us to hang out and spend time with one another. It just wasn’t 100 per cent right, and we didn’t have time to try to make it that way.”
After the director realized that the role wasn’t a perfect fit for Will Smith, he met several others before seeking Foxx.
“I met six different actors and had extensive meetings with all of them, and I went in-depth on all of their work. Idris Elba, Chris Tucker, Terrence Howard, M.K. Williams Tyrese. They all appreciated the material, and I was going to put them through the paces, make them go off against one another and kind of put up an obstacle course.”
Foxx was Tarantino’s sixth choice for the lead, but he claims that he was convinced after meeting with the actor.
“And then I met Jamie. He was the cowboy… Forget the fact that he has his own horse – and that is actually his horse in the movie. He’s from Texas; he understands. …He understood what it’s like to be thought of as an ‘other.’”
So, do you agree with Tarantino, or do you believe that one of the other five actors could have been better to play Django.
Django Unchained hits theaters Christmas day.
