Will Smith attends the “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted†New York Premier at Ziegfeld Theatre on June 7, 2012 in New York City.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Why did Will Smith pass on the lead in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained after a monthlong flirtation with the project? “I came really close,†Smith tells Empire … but ultimately, his giant trailer was parked squarely on another production. “I was in the middle of Men in Black 3 and [Tarantino] was ready to go, and I just couldn’t sit with him and get through the issues, so I didn’t want to hold him up.†Still, Smith predicts big returns for the movie, which eventually cast Jamie Foxx: “That thing’s going to be ridiculous. It is a genius screenplay.â€