Avid dress-wearer Jaden Smith has just landed a pretty sweet gig with Australia’s own directing royalty and fashion film extraordinaire Baz Luhrmann. The 16-year-old son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith has signed on for Baz’ latest project, The Get Down, a Netflix-exclusive TV drama set in 1970s New York.
Deadline reports that Jaden will play Marcus “Dizzee” Kipling, a South Bronx-raised graffiti writer, and has already started embracing the character with some relevant research. “He has begun developing his The Get Down skill set, even taking lessons from the legendary graffiti artist Lady Pink of ‘Wild Style’ fame, as well as steeping himself in the history and culture of the Bronx,” Baz explained.
Photo: WENN
The 52-year-old Aussie director, who is well known for his theatrical work including Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby, is excited to give Jaden an opportunity to broaden his acting skills. “We as an audience have known Jaden since he was very young. Recently, Jaden has been seeking diverse and challenging roles and this is a testament to his passion to grow in the craft,” Baz said.
“We’re all very happy with the casting of Jaden in the role of ‘Dizzee’ Kipling, and with his addition, the Kipling family cast is now complete,” he continued.
Baz’ wife, Academy Award winner Catherine Martin, will act as costumer and production designer, of course, for the 13-episode drama series. The Get Down will appear exclusively on Netflix in 2016.
[Via Deadline]
