Django Freeman

Background

Django Freeman is very much inspired by the character Django, who first appeared in the 1966 film Django, where he was played by Franco Nero. Django Freeman was created by Quentin Tarantino and debuted in his 2012 picture Django Unchained.

Tarantino originally intended for the character to be played by Will Smith, and wrote the screenplay with that actor in mind. However, Smith turned the role down. Smith says it was because he was busy helping his children's careers (he was in pre-production on After Earth when Django Unchained started filming); others say that it may also be because Smith did not want to hurt his brand by playing a violent assassin who likes "killing white folks." Prior to Django Unchained's release, Smith said he loved the screenplay and was certain the movie would be good.

In Django Unchained, Jamie Foxx was cast in the role after Smith turned it down.

Personality & Traits

Django is proud and intelligent. He convincingly portrays a variety of roles while on his missions. He generally wears fantastic regalia, though it is implied he would do this if he wasn't playing a role. He is also hot-headed and is swift to violence. Django is excellent at marksmanship and is fantastic in combat.

Django is African-American and a former slave. However, due to being a freeman who seems well-educated and capable, he confounds both other whites and blacks.

Django's primary motivation in Django Unchained is to rescue his wife, Broomhilda von Shaft, from the sadistic plantation owner Calvin J. Candie, who has her tortured and forced into prostitution. He is willing to sacrifice anything and everything for this, even preventing his partner from saving a slave who is being eaten by dogs for fear it may blow his cover.