Will Smith quit 'Django Unchained' because 'I need to be the lead'

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Will Smith has a need … to play the lead. The actor told Entertainment Weekly as much in a recent interview, explaining why he wouldn’t take the title role that ultimately went to Jamie Foxx in “Django Unchained.”

“Django wasn’t the lead, so it was like, I need to be the lead,” he said. “The other character was the lead!”

Smith is referring to the role of bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz, played by Christoph Waltz.

He may have a point: Waltz waltzed out of February’s Oscars with a trophy (for supporting actor) while Foxx, who would have competed in the lead actor race, was not nominated. But it’s hard to imagine that a character whose name is part of the title of the film isn’t lead enough for Smith.

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