After weeks of back and forth talk, but never actually hearing the words come out of his month, Jamie Foxx has officially confirmed to CNN (via Shadow and Act) that he will play the lead in Quentin Tarantino‘s upcoming western Django Unchained. So, sorry Idris Elba and Will Smith fans but the Ray Oscar-winner is our ex-slave-turned-bounty hunter.
He also confirmed the casting of Leonardo DiCaprio as our main villain, slave owner Calvin Candie. There is also Oscar-winning Inglourious Basterds star Christoph Waltz as German bounty hunter Dr. King Schultze, who accompanies Django on the journey. Foxx also confirmed the casting of Samuel L. Jackson as Candie’s right-hand man and head house-slave Stephen.
There are still many roles to be filled. Kerry Washington has been rumored as Django’s wife Broomhilda, who he is out to rescue from the ownership of Candie. Stay tuned for all casting updates and check out the video from CNN below (fast-forward to 50 seconds in for all you non-Selena Gomez fans).
Tarantino has been known to have some “out there” casting. After all, DiCaprio was originally circling the Basterds role that eventually went to Waltz. Maybe he can continue the pattern and get Smith in his film following Django, since things didn’t work out here. As for Django, I think this could be the comeback Foxx needs. He has a hilarious role in the upcoming Horrible Bosses, but after crap like Law Abiding Citizen, Valentine’s Day, The Soloist, and even his small, useless cameo in Due Date, this could be quite good for his career, bringing him back from the movie star brink.
Django Unchained hits theaters December 25th, 2012.
What do you think about Foxx 100% officially in Django Unchained?