Why Will Smith turned down Django Unchained

By Tribute on March 26, 2013 | 9 Comments


It appears Will Smith, 44, considers himself much too big a star to play anything but the leading role in a film. Will was approached to star in Quentin Tarantino‘s Django Unchained but turned it down because he wrongly believed Django, played by Jamie Foxx wasn’t the lead, despite being the title role. He thought the role of Dr. King Schultz, played by Christoph Waltz, was bigger. Smith told Entertainment Weekly, “Django wasn’t the lead, so it was like, I need to be the lead. The other character was the lead!” Besides winning a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for Waltz, Django Unchained also won Best Original Screenplay and is Tarantino’s biggest box office hit to date. Ironically, Jamie Foxx is front and center on the movie’s poster and the first-billed name. Despite turning down the role, Will claims he was glad to see the film do well: “I thought it was brilliant. Just not for me.” Will stars as the lead in the sci-fi film After Earth alongside his son, Jaden (The Karate Kid). It hits theaters June 7. ~E.Guevarra



Comments & Discussion

  1. Sparky • March 26, 2013 @ 1:06 PM

    Ego much?

  2. anonymous2 • March 26, 2013 @ 1:40 PM

    It wouldn’t have done as well with Will Smith played the role.

  3. Snepts • March 26, 2013 @ 2:54 PM

    Actually, it probably would have done double the business…

  4. BM • March 26, 2013 @ 4:23 PM

    I agree with Snepts, I like Will Smith, I do not like Jamie Foxx.

  5. John • March 26, 2013 @ 6:11 PM

    It’s interesting that Will Smith believes that he has to be the lead. You would think that just working with Q.Tarentino (Oscar winner) and Christof Walz (Oscar winner)would be enough for ANY actor; It certainly was for Leo DiCaprio. Last time I looked, there was no Oscar on Will’s mantelpiece. Will Smith is officially a movie star; he is no longer an actor.

  6. C-Dub • March 26, 2013 @ 8:41 PM

    I can’t see Smith in that role. BUT I agree with John. Working with Oscar winners might have elevated his game and he could have at least got a nomination. You never know. I’m sure it’ll be one of those regret stories.

  7. Snepts • March 26, 2013 @ 10:16 PM

    Will Smith HAS worked with Oscar winners and undoubtedly will do so again.

  8. burt stoval • March 27, 2013 @ 12:26 AM

    will smith is another example of people getting too full of themselves—–no way he, nor anything other black actor could have topped the job Foxx did.

    get over it will—you blew it—-man up ! ! ! !

  9. MKJ • March 27, 2013 @ 9:43 AM

    I agree that I can’t see Will Smith play the role as Django. I’d like to see him stretch his potential though, I feel many of his roles are rather the same. He broke out a different side in Pursuit of Happiness… but maybe it’s the fact I can’t take him seriously. I don’t know. He didn’t have to sound like such an A-hole though


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