With Quentin Tarantino just completing his latest script last week, it’s already made the rounds and we have some big casting news. I recently finished reading the script and the choice is someone who I could have never predicted.
THR reports that Tarantino wants one of the biggest stars in the world, Will Smith, to lead the blockbuster western, titled Django Unchained. We already know Christoph Waltz is all but locked for the role of Dr. Schultz, a German bounty hunter.
In the film, Django (possibly Smith), is a freed slave who accompanies Schultz on a mission to kill and collect the bounty on a group of murderers. Throughout the adventure in the deep south Schultz transforms Django from a quiet slave to a vengeful assassin. Django is also on a mission to rescue his wife Broomhilda, who is in the hands of an evil slavemaster.
I personally thought someone like Anthony Mackie would be perfect for the role of Django. Smith seems like such a well-known face, it would be hard to buy. Then again, Tarantino has transformed some of the most recognizable faces into the perfect characters. Just look at Brad Pitt in Inglourious Basterds.
In other casting news, as expected, Samuel L. Jackson is circling the film. I thought it may be a in a voice-over role, but it looks like he may have a supporting role. Jackson would play the house slave Stephen, who is a cohort to the evil slavemaster Monsieur Calvin Candie. These characters are featured in the second half of the film and Jackson is a great choice for this role.
No deals have been made yet, but The Weinstein Co. are currently looking for a co-financier. They’ve met with Universal and will continue with Sony, Paramount, and Warner Bros. in the coming weeks. As for Will Smith’s schedule, he is currently shooting Men In Black III and has plans to star in M. Night Shyamalan‘s sci-fi blockbuster One Thousand A.E. He is also circling the Wachowski‘s modern day Robin Hood movie, but with Cloud Atlas set to start production this year, that looks to be shelved.
In the meantime, I highly suggest heading on over to The Playlist where they have a great rundown of who should fill the other roles. After reading the script, this is going to be one entertaining ride and I can’t wait to see the cast get locked down.
Django Unchained is expected to shoot this fall in the South. A Louisiana shoot is rumored and expect a 2012 release date.
What do you think about Will Smith possibly getting cast as Django?