Casting information for Quentin Tarantino‘s Django Unchained has been something of a regular occurrence around these parts lately. Just within the past month, the additions to the cast have ranged from Michael K. Williams to Kurt Russell, who replaced the previously signed-on Kevin Costner. Most recently, too, was the news that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is trying to clear some space in his packed schedule (Premium Rush, Looper, The Dark Knight Rises, Lincoln) to perhaps take on a supporting role in the film.
And Tarantino has just announced another crucial addition — Kerry Washington, who’ll play Broomhilda, the “long-suffering slave wife” of Jamie Foxx‘s title character. Supposedly Tarantino was looking to “[make] a discovery” with the role, but Washington, “who Tarantino had his eye on…from the beginning,” was apparently too good of a prospect to past up, even if she isn’t a total unknown. (Washington, by the way, was rumored for the part all the way back in June.) And, having read the delicious screenplay, I’m feeling good about the choice here — Washington is nothing if not an appropriate choice for the role, and she’s a good actress who deserves a stage such as this one. [Deadline]
The cast Washington is joining — you probably haven’t heard this for a couple of days, so let me remind you — already includes Christoph Waltz, as a bounty hunter and mentor figure to Django, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who’ll play Calvin Candie, an enormously wealthy and volatile slave owner for the film hitting theaters Christmas Day 2012.
What do you think of the casting choice? Did you have anyone else in mind for the role?