Jamie Foxx Said Leonardo DiCaprio Repeatedly Stopped Scenes Where He Had To Use The N-Word Until Jamie Told Him This

Morgan Murrell

28 January 2025 at 11:56 am·3-min read

Jamie Foxx shared just how uncomfortable Leonardo DiCaprio really was filming certain scenes for their award-winning movie Django Unchained.

Jamie in a sweater with a large letter "G" on it poses in front of Tower Bridge in London, leaning on a glass railing — Dave Benett / Dave Benett / WireImage

The 2012 revisionist western, written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, follows a slave named Django who's determined to reunite with his wife after she was sold to the owner of the Candyland plantation. Django teams up with a bounty hunter as they set across the south to collect what's theirs.

Group of people standing together, dressed in diverse styles including casual and formal attire, posing indoors for a celebrity event — The film was stocked with an A-list cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Christoph Waltz.

Donald Bowers / Getty Images

Earlier this month, Jamie sat down with Vanity Fair for the latest episode of their popular series Scene Selection. The Oscar-winning actor took a trip down memory lane to share some fun tidbits and behind-the-scenes facts about some of his most memorable roles.

Jamie in a jacket with a red hoodie underneath, sitting and smiling. Text reads: Jamie Foxx, Actor. Lamp in the background — Vanity Fair / youtube.com

"The subject matter, the N-word specifically, Leo had a hard time saying the N-word," Jamie told Vanity Fair. "We're doing a read, and Leo says 'nigger,' and then he goes, 'Hey man, hey guys, cut. I just can't do this. This is not me.'"

Vanity Fair / youtube.com / Andrew Cooper/©Weinstein Company / courtesy Everett Collection

"Samuel L. Jackson said, 'Say that shit, motherfucker! [laughs] It's just another Tuesday. Fuck 'em!' And I told Leo, I said, 'Leo, you know, in slavery days we would never talk to each other. So, I'm not your friend, I'm not Jamie Foxx. I'm Django.'"

"You won't be able to play that character unless you really understand what slavery was about," Jamie added. "It was tough. It was horrific. Ain't no kiki-ing with the slaves."

Django in a cowboy hat and jacket with a scarf, holstered gun, and gloves, stands confidently outdoors — Andrew Cooper/©Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection

Samuel tried to help Leo feel more comfortable getting into character, but it was that last push from Jamie that really set the tone, because once he told Leo not to look at him as a friend, his whole demeanor changed on set.

Leo in elegant 19th-century attire with a cigarette and hammer in hand, in a lavish setting with blurred background elements — Andrew Cooper/©Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection

"So, the next day, I see Leo. I said, 'Leo, what's up? L, L, what's up?'" But Leo didn't even acknowledge him. It was at that point that Jamie realized Leo took his advice into consideration.

Leo and Jamie pose at an event — Handout / Getty Images

"He [doesn']t speak to me. He's ready," Jamie added. "[After that], everybody started, you know, digging in."

The multi-hyphenate entertainer went on to praise his costars and director for bringing such talent to the set, particularly Samuel, who he believes was robbed of an Oscar nomination for his performance.

Jamie and Samuel stand together at an event. One wears a scarf and cardigan, and the other dons a turtleneck and blazer with a beanie — Donato Sardella / Getty Images for Giorgio Armani

The way Samuel could switch in and out of his character with such ease still amazes Jamie to this day.

Samuel and Kerry Washington in a scene from the film — Andrew Cooper/©Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection

To learn more about Jamie and his past roles, be sure to watch his full Vanity Fair interview below: