Tarantino in T.O. for Django Unchained   Play video

Despite widespread rumours, Quentin Tarantino never wrote the title role of his anti-slavery western, Django Unchained, for Will Smith. Nor did he formally offer it to the Hollywood superstar, despite meeting to discuss the project.

"It's funny," Tarantino said Monday during a Toronto visit, "it's been a little bit blown out of proportion that I was offering Will Smith the part of Django on a silver platter -- or that I was writing it for him. That really wasn't the case. Django was Django when I was writing him the entire time. I didn't really have an idea who would play him."

Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx ended up with the role, a character with the potential to become a cinematic icon. Now Tarantino is overjoyed, after reportedly considering others such as Chris Tucker, Idris Elba, Terrence Howard, Michael Kenneth Williams and Tyrese Gibson, once he had parted ways with Smith. "Yeah, now, I can't imagine anybody but Jamie being Django!" Tarantino said.