Will Smith was one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood in 2012 when Django Unchained was released. The movie garnered $426 million against a budget of $100 million, which will forever be an astonishing feat. The Quentin Tarantino movie was applauded for the performance of its cast, which consisted of Christoph Waltz, Jamie Foxx, and Leonardo DiCaprio among others. These actors brought shining success to the action-packed love story. However, to think that Will Smith was in the talks before Jamie Foxx has one wondering about the fate of the movie.

Fans were further shocked when Will Smith revealed the reason why he could not join hands with Quentin Tarantino on this venture. And also had fans in awe by predicting early on what would not work for the script.

Why did Will Smith reject Django Unchained?

Long before Will Smith was on Trevor Noah’s talk show explaining what got him worked up enough to slap a well-known comedian on an Oscar stage, he was on The Hollywood Reporter’s actor roundtable, explaining why he rejected a blockbuster because he did not want to promote violence. Smith said in 2015  that he wanted the movie to be “the greatest love story that African-Americans had ever seen.” He further mentioned, “I don’t believe in violence as the reaction to violence,” citing the reason for his rejection.

The actor was hoping to work out a way with Tarantino for the protagonist to emerge as a hero in love and not a monster on a hunt for revenge. Smith’s movies often end with him metaphorically attaining a pair of wings as a hymn plays in the background. Therefore, it was not uncharacteristic of Will Smith, then arguably the King of Hollywood, to pass on a role because of excessive violence.

Was Smith’s advice beneficial for Django Unchained?

The action romance, although earned big at the box office, was criticized for its use of racist slangs. As if the racist slangs did not add enough fuel, the 2012 flick was also excessive in its use of violence.

Will Smith saw in the movie the potential to become the greatest love story witnessed, if ‘love’ is what it all boiled down to. Smith’s advice could have made the movie more than just an entertaining one-time watch. But the movie persevered nonetheless.

What do you think of Smith’s take on Django Unchained? Let us know in the comments below.