Jamie Foxx Reveals Leonardo DiCaprio's "Django Unchained" Script Struggles

Jamie Foxx Reveals Why Leonardo DiCaprio Initially Stopped Reading the "Django Unchained" Script

By M Muzamil Shami - January 24, 2025

 

Jamie Foxx recounts Leonardo DiCaprio's initial reluctance to continue reading the "Django Unchained" script due to its intense language.

Jamie Foxx shared a story about Leonardo DiCaprio’s discomfort with the frequent use of the N-word in Quentin Tarantino’s "Django Unchained" script.

Foxx recently discussed his experience filming Quentin Tarantino’s critically acclaimed "Django Unchained" in a Vanity Fair interview, offering insights into behind-the-scenes moments.

Reflecting on his iconic portrayal of Django Freeman, Foxx shared a compelling anecdote about his co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio, and his initial reaction to the script's explicit language.

DiCaprio played the role of Calvin Candie, the film's primary antagonist, a cruel and reprehensible plantation owner in the 2012 Western.

“The subject matter, particularly the repeated use of the N-word, presented a challenge for Leo,” Foxx explained.

“During a script read-through, Leo stopped and said, ‘Guys, cut! I just can’t do this. This isn’t me,’” Foxx recalled.

According to Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, who delivered a powerful performance as Candie's house slave Stephen, immediately intervened, offering a blunt yet effective perspective. “Samuel L. Jackson responded with, ‘Say that shit, motherfucker! It’s just another Tuesday. F*ck them.’”

Foxx further elaborated on how he personally encouraged DiCaprio to fully embrace the disturbing realities of his character's historical context and the brutal realities of slavery.

“I explained to Leo that during the era of slavery, there was no camaraderie between enslaved people and slave owners,” he said. “I emphasized, ‘I’m not your friend. I’m not Jamie Foxx. I’m Django.’ I conveyed to him that he couldn't fully embody the character without understanding the true nature of slavery. It was a difficult and horrific period in history.”

This conversation had a profound impact on DiCaprio's approach to the role, as Foxx observed a noticeable transformation on set.

“The following day, I greeted Leo, but he didn’t respond. He was in character, fully immersed. Everyone was deeply committed to their roles,” Foxx concluded.

Keywords: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson, N-word, script, movie, film, Calvin Candie, Django Freeman, slavery, historical context, behind the scenes, interview, Vanity Fair, movie script, film production, acting, Hollywood.