Earlier today, we reported on the tweet rumor that Jamie Foxx had landed the title role in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming Django Unchained. We now have confirmation on the matter as Variety reports that Foxx will indeed star in the pic alongside Leonard DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, and most likely Samuel L. Jackson as well. As has been well documented, Tarantino originally offered the surefire controversial part to Will Smith. After Smith passed, the writer/director met with Idris Elba, Terrence Howard, and Chris Tucker before offering the gig to Foxx.
For those unaware, Django Unchained centers on a freed slave (Foxx) who joins forces with a German bounty hunter (Waltz) as part of a plan to save the former’s love from an evil plantation owner (DiCaprio). The film is slated to hit theaters on December 25th, 2012. As for Foxx, the Oscar-winner can next be seen alongside Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day in the comedy Horrible Bosses opening July 8th.
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hey Jason, controversial or not I don’t understand why Smith would turn down a role like this??? It boggles my mind.
because he sucks
That’s kind of what im talking about… this was his chance to make a movie that critics and boys over the age of 14 would enjoy.
instead we get men in black 3
I honestly wanted Idris Elba but Jamie Foxx isn’t that bad an actor; anyways I hope he does the character well, I can’t wait to see this film XD
Jamie Fox is a pretty shitty actor. He was so overrated in Ray.
Idris Elba would have been a better choice, he is the better actor of the two and kicks ass in any role. Quintin made a big mistake by giving it to Jamie Fox.
He was very overrated in Ray. However, I thought he did a great job in Collateral.
Idris Elba definitely should have gotten it.
Really hate the guy – so obnoxious
Jamie Foxx may not be the worst actor in Hollywood, but he’s damn near the most obnoxious. This marks the first time I’ve ever heard of an upcoming Tarantino feature and thought “don’t care”. Quentin is a genius, but he is prone to occasional casting goofs (Eli Roth in Basterds, himself in Pulp). Let’s hope this is a lot better. Ugh.
I honestly wanted Idris Elba to be Django but Jamie Foxx doesn’t seem like a bad choice on Tarantino’s part. Anyways, I just hope Jamie Foxx does his best as the title character; can’t wait to see this movie already
So, DiCaprio will do this? I am so excited for this now!
He doesn’t really do R-rated movies. I mean, aside from his first and Ali, which he probably had personal connections to. I’m not surprised he turned this down. I’m a little surprised Elba wasn’t chosen, but I’m sure Foxx will be good.
What about both of the Bad Boys movies? and Enemy of the State? It’s like 5 out of his 20/25 films so it’s like 20-25% of his films that are rated “R” which considering his wholesome image is nothing to scoff at. i think it was mostly the possibility of exploiting the history of slavery and taking heat for that that scared Smith away as opposed to the R rating. They should have tried to get chiwetel ejiofor for this role. The dude is a beast.
Idris Elba would’ve been a cooler choice but Foxx is a capable actor but really hasn’t bothered with much worthwhile material recently.
Not an exciting choice. Better than Tucker I guess.
HEIMDALLLLLLLL!!!
FINALLY! I aint gonna lie, FOXX was not my choice. He obviously beat out crowd favorite ELBA so in QT I trust.
Will Smith, you stupid, stupid man.
hopefully, this will be another film that Will Smith, looking back, admits(and he’s been adamant that he rarely do this), “he wasn’t smart enough as an actor”.
2012 will be a strong year for awards. Surely Nolan will get his long due nomination for directing(heck they might even give him the oscar), but PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON has a film, and you may call him overdue(i mean, especially after a LEGENDARY film that he did previously) and QT might get some nominations aswell. acting wise, i think all of these three films will get its actors Oscar Nomination(The Master will surely do).
man i can’t wait for directors roundtable. 3 people who didn’t go to film school, but is admittedly the three best(if you don’t include Scorsese) filmmakers RIGHT NOW! PERIOD!
Booooo. I was really pulling for Idris Elba. Oh well. Let’s see what happens…
I think Jamie Foxx is a terrific actor, I might’ve been the only one to hope Will Smith wouldn’t take it so Jamie Foxx could. He’s wonderful in Ray and Collateral and to see him act along side Leonardo DiCaprio while working a Tarantino script may be the greatest film collaboration to happen in some years.
would have preferred Idris Elba because of his more imposing physicality… would love to see him go hand to hand against Samuel L. Jackson… Alas, Jamie Foxx isn’t a bad choice, but I would much rather have been Stringer Bell coming back and taking down some bad dudes.