As we have heard previously, Quentin Tarantino’s eighth film in his illustrious career is “Django Unchained.” And now The Weinstein Company has officially set a date for the film’s release: Dec. 25, 2012.
What we know about the film so far is that it’s a Spaghetti Western-style story that tells the tale of Django, a freed slave who ironically teams-up with a German bounty hunter to try to save his wife from evil plantation owner Calvin Candie.
We also know that many stars have been rumored to be attached to this film and that Leonardo DiCaprio is in final negations to play the plantation owner. Christoph Waltz, who won an Oscar from his previous collaboration with Tarantino as the Jew Hunter in “Inglourious Basterds,” is said to be in the film and is presumably playing the German bounty hunter. Samuel L. Jackson also is rumored to have a role in the film, but this is not yet confirmed.
The title role of Django has yet to be cast. For a long time, Will Smith was attached to the role, but he has since passed. Tarantino is looking at other actors such as Jamie Foxx, Idris Elba and Chris Tucker.
As of now, “Django Unchained” has the Christmas opening all to itself in 2012, but that is going to be a busy month. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is opening less than two weeks prior in IMAX on Dec. 14, and “The Lone Ranger” will open Dec. 21. Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot, “Man of Steel,” is also rumored to be looking at a coveted holiday opening in December 2012 as well.
So what do you think of this news? Typically, I would say that Quentin Tarantino’s movies aren’t very holiday appropriate, but his loyal fans will come out in droves to support his films as the success of “Inglorious Bastards” has shown. Are you excited for this movie and do you have a preference in who you would like in the title role? Have some suggestions of your own, post them in the comments suggestion and let us know your thoughts on the matter.
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Can’t wait for another Tarantino movie. The release date makes sense, as that’s prime Academy recognition time. Jackie Brown also opened on the same date back in 1997.
I’d have to go with Idris Elba of that group. I think he could be awesome in a Tarantino movie.