Kurt Russell & Sacha Baron Cohen Exit Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained
Tarantino on the hunt at the 11th hour for two actors to fill important roles in his currently filming western.
Kurt Russell and Sacha Baron Cohen have dropped out of starring in Quentin Tarantino's new movie "Django Unchained". Russell had the bigger part of the two, playing the role of ruthless henchman Ace Woody, a down right bastard who trains slaves to fight each other for the amusement of white men. The role would have been Russell's first on screen since he appeared as 'Stuntman Mike' in Tarantino's Grindhouse picture "Death Proof" five years ago. Russell actually replaced the originally cast Kevin Costner in the forthcoming western, who had scheduling issues with the Pa Kent role in "Man of Steel" and was probably uncertain of how his housewives favourite image might be effected in playing such a baddie. As for why Russell dropped out? His camp ain't saying. Variety broke the news last night. Meanwhile Sacha Baron Cohen has also revealed that he won't appear in the movie either. He told The Howard Stern Show that the press tour for his May 16th released comedy "The Dictator" meant he had no time to film his "cameo" for Tarantino. He undersold his role a little but it is pretty much a one scene (though a lengthy one) gig. The role would have found the versatile Brit playing Scott Harmony, the as written overweight and shy 24 year old son of a rich daddy who buys him the slave Broomhilda in a bid to cure his confidence issues. As written its my favourite scene in the whole film (it revolves around a card game with Leonardo DiCaprios Calvin Candie) and Tarantino knows the part is a good one and has been searching for a memorable face to play it, with Jonah Hill previously turning down the role over scheduling. The part Sacha Baron Cohen had will be an easy fill (logistically, if not talent wise) at this stage and Tarantino can no longer be picky for a one scene part. Replacing Russell as Ace Woody however will be harder as it's a solid supporting part that needs a great actor. When we read the script, we actually thought the role would suit Woody Harrelson down to the ground. He can hit the right tone of that kind of evil, is physically built for it and well, he's just a hell of an actor. If I were Quentin I would give him a call. Just please, don't try and call Eli Roth to fill the gap again! 
Tarantino hasn't had a great deal of luck with his casting on this picture with Joseph Gordon-Levitt also dropping out of a role and Tarantino's first choice to play Django, movie star Will Smith, turning the project down as he didn't want to ruin his squeaky clean image. Still, Quentin has brought an amazing cast together... "Django Unchained" stars Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as the black slave Django who is freed, trained under the tutelage of Christoph Waltzs German eccentric former dentist turned bounty hunter, and then becomes an all out Clint Eastwood style gunslinger, hellbent on saving his bride (Kerry Washington) who is enslaved by Leonardo DiCaprios evil plantation owner. Samuel L. Jackson is DiCaprios right-hand man Stephen. Kill Bills Laura Cayouette is Candies sister, Lara Lee Candie-Fitzwilly. Anthony LaPaglia, M.C. Gainey, Tom Savini, Don Johnson is Spencer Bennett, Gerald McRaney, Tom Wopat, James Russo and Dennis Christopher have supporting roles, among others. 
Django Unchained is shooting now for a December 25th (US release) and January 2013 (UK release).