Variety has confirmed internet rumors that Jamie Foxx has been chosen by Quentin Tarantino to play Django. Jamie Foxx beat out Will Smith, Idris Elba, and Chris Tucker for the part.

Why did Tarantino choose Jamie Foxx?  The speculation on the internet is that Will Smith was initially offered the part, but passed on it to protect his clean and family friendly image. The financial backers of the film wanted a big box office name for the part and pushed for Jamie Foxx who has more name recognition domestically and overseas than Elba and Tucker.  Tucker hasn’t had a leading role in years, and Elba doesn’t have the right look for the film (the character of Django is supposed to be quite slim). This isn’t to imply that Jamie Foxx won the part strictly for financial reasons. Foxx is a very talented actor as proven by the many awards he won for Ray and Tarantino certainly isn’t the type to settle for the “wrong” actor.

Congratulations Jamie!

Add Chris Tucker to the list of actors being considered for the Django Unchained lead role.  Variety reports that while Will Smith is still being considered for the role, Quentin Tarantino has been busy scouting and auditioning actors for the lead role of Django.  Idris Elba is also in the running for the lead.  Not much more information about Chris Tucker’s involvement was given, but we’ll keep you updated when we know more.

P.S.   Anyone else remember this scene with Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Tucker in Jackie Brown?