Jaden Smith Joins Cast of Baz Luhrmann's The Get Down

Photo: Alex McDonell

In between prom hopping in skirts, Jaden Smith will join the cast of The Get Down, Baz Luhrmann's musical drama for Netflix.

Smith will play 18-year-old Marcus "Dizzee" Kipling, "a psychedelically talented and enigmatic graffiti writer raised in the South Bronx."

Set against the backdrop of 1970s New York, the 13-episode series revolves around a wild group of teenagers living in the streets with no family but each other. This long-time passion project of Luhrmann's is slated for a premiere on Netflix in 2016.

On casting Smith, the director said:

"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. In the short time he has joined our acting family, 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. 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."

Although Smith has appeared alongside father Will in films such as The Pursuit of Happyness and After Earth, it's time for Jaden to shine on his own. If The Get Down is as visually striking as Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge or The Great Gatsby, it will be the perfect opportunity for him to come into his own.