Will Smith's Huge Ego Didn't Let Him Be In Django Movie

Django Unchained is Tarantino's seventh film with a prominent cast and an entertaining storyline.

Starring such iconic stars as Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jamie Foxx as Django himself, the movie immediately gained the attention it deserved.

But, it might come as a surprise to some that the role of Django almost went to none other than Will Smith, and the reason he missed out on the part in Tarantino movie is more than ridiculous.

Set in the pre-Civil War era, Django Unchained tackles the sensitive issues of slavery and the sexual abuse of enslaved women.

The movie does not shy away from depicting the brutal realities of the time, including explicit violence and racial tension.

You might think that Tarantino's unique style of storytelling and the edgy nature of the script would have been at odds with Smith's desire to maintain a family-friendly image and be seen as a universally beloved actor, but let us lead you the right way.

Will Smith has given two interviews with two different statements about the situation.

In the first one, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he wanted the movie to be about love and not violence and the fact that the main hero's intentions were mostly motivated by rage and hatred didn't let Will hop on the train under the "one of the best movies of all times" name.

But two years earlier the I Am Legend star claimed a completely different reason. He told Entertainment Weekly that he was concerned about Django not being the main focus of the movie.

The character shares the screen with Christoph Waltz's Dr. King Schultz, who acts as a mentor figure and has a significant amount of screen time.

Accustomed to being the center of attention in his films, Smith was uncomfortable sharing the spotlight and not being the one who kills the bad guy.

Though Will Smith's huge ego or desire to maintain a particular image seemingly prevented him from being a part of Django Unchained, it ultimately opened the door for Jamie Foxx to deliver a career-defining performance.

Foxx's portrayal of Django earned critical acclaim and solidified his place as a versatile actor capable of tackling complex and challenging roles. So, we may say, no hard feelings.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, EW