British-Jewish comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is set to join the star-studded cast of "Django Unchained," director Quentin Tarantino's new Spaghetti Western. According to reports, Cohen -- of "Bruno," "Borat" and "Ali G" fame -- is in final negotiations to join the cast of "Django Unchained." He is the last of a long list of high-profile actors who have signed on to take part in the film, including Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz ("Inglourious Bastards"), Kurt Russell, Don Johnson and Anthony LaPaglia. "Django Unchained" recounts the story of escaped slave Django (Foxx), who enlists the help of a German bounty hunter in order to help rescue his wife Broomhilda from the hands of an evil Francophile slave-owner. Cohen is expected to play Scotty Harmony, a gambler who buys Broomhilda as a "female companion." The southern Spaghetti Western is Tarantino's attempt to tackle the dark issue of slavery using his own unique film style. Sources connected with the film told Variety magazine that Tarantino was particular in his choice of actor for the role of Scotty, and that though Cohen's role was small, it was integral to the storyline. Veteran actor Kevin Costner backed out of playing a sadistic slave-trainer in the film, a role that will now be played by Kurt Russell. Variety reports that another actor originally touted for the role of Django was Will Smith, who decided to pass on what Variety has called the "sure to be controversial part." Other actors considered for the role included Idris Elba ("The Wire"), Terrence Howard ("Crash") and Chris Tucker ("Rush Hour"), with Tarantino ultimately deciding on Foxx. British-born Cohen has received a slew of award nominations for his past works, eventually winning the 2007 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical for "Borat." Playing the role of Scotty will not be Cohen's only turn as a serious actor. He can be seen in Martin Scorsese's new 3D adventure drama film "Hugo," which is expected to be released in the U.S. by next week and stars Ben Kingsley and Jude Law. Befitting Tarantino's style, "Django Unchained" will include its fair share of blood, gore and violence. It is to begin filming in New Orleans in January, and is expected to reach movie theaters within a year.
Tarantino and Baron Cohen dish out new Spaghetti Western
Renowned comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is set to act in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming film "Django Unchained" • Cohen takes on serious role as slave-buying gambler •Star-studded cast also expected to include Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio.
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