20 Things You Didn't Know About Django Unchained

20. Lady Gaga, Will Smith And Kurt Russell Could Have Featured

As is well known, Will Smith was the frontrunner (Quentin basically wrote the role for him) to play the title character of Django but depending on who you believe, either turned down the role because it 'wasn't the lead' or because of the film's controversial subject matter. After Smith turned it down, Idris Elba and Michael K. Williams were in contention, Tyrese Gibson sent in an audition tape while Cuba Gooding Jr. told The Guardian that not being considered for the role was his biggest career disappointment.

Jamie Foxx ended up with the role and it's now hard to image anyone else playing the part.

Lady Gaga was rumoured to be a contender for a role in the movie, presumably as Candie's sister, Lara Lee Candie-Fitzwilly. Tarantino has since said that he would like to work with the A Star Is Born actress. Both Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell were signed up to play the role of Ace Woody at different stages before dropping out to scheduling conflicts. This character was later merged with another character and this became Billy Crash, played by Walter Goggins.