Well this is one of the most exciting rumors that we’ve seen in a while. Quentin Tarantino‘s new project Django Unchained has caused a many stirs in many areas, not least of which the accusations of racism and the use of “nigger” in the stage directions of the script. But the casting of the film has almost certainly been the most interesting. Will Smith has been courted for the role of escaped slave Django and Christoph Waltz, no matter how much he denies it, will be playing the German bounty hunter who takes Django under his wing.
Now a new rumor has hit the web. Podcaster Jeff Goldsmith today posted this to his Twitter account:
Casting Rumor: Leonardo DiCaprio WILL play villian Calvin Candie in Tarantino’s Django Unchained! QT wanted him for I.B. & now has him!
Candie is the character who Django is seeking revenge on, he is the plantation owner from which he escaped, and judging by Tarantino’s standards (I haven’t read the script) he is likely to be one mean bastard. For now treat this as simple hearsay but for those of you who remember, DiCaprio is liked by Tarantino. And a long time before Christoph Waltz appeared on the scene, DiCaprio was wanted to play Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds.
So clearly Tarantino likes him but most interestingly with this is that Tarantino thinks Leo has the ability to pull off a villainous role. To be honest, I think it would be a stellar choice. We know that DiCaprio can handle the southern accent (as seen in The Aviator) and to see him as a mean bastard would be fantastic and a nice play against type.
But hold on folks that’s not all. Over the weekend, actor Idris Elba tweeted some very mysterious info:
Having one of the biggest meetings of my professional life today, meeting a very controversial director for a very controversial part.
The blogosphere lit up and The Playlist hinted that this could be a possible audition for Django Unchained and the lead role. A long while ago Will Smith was wanted but word has been quiet on this since. With negotiations falling by the way side could Elba slip in there and take it? In my opinion I’d rather see him than Smith, from what I’ve heard the part requires a definite mean streak, which the former actor of The Wire has. Expect to hear more in the coming weeks on this as it will likely go away now its out there.
But if all comes true: Idris Elba, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz and Quentin Tarantino? I’m so there.