Jaden Smith joins cast of Baz Luhrmann's 'The Get Down' series

BEVERLY HILLS , Calif., June 10 (UPI) -- Actor and musician Jaden Smith has joined the cast of Baz Luhrmann's 1970s-set, music-themed drama The Get Down, Netflix announced.

The 16-year-old son of Hollywood stars Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith will play Marcus "Dizzee" Kipling, "a psychedelically talented and enigmatic graffiti writer raised in the South Bronx." His previous film credits include After Earth, The Karate Kid and The Day the Earth Stood Still.

"We as an audience have known Jaden since he was very young," Luhrmann said in a statement Tuesday. "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."

The show's previously announced stars include Jimmy Smits, Herizen Guardiola, Justice Smith, Shameik Moore, Skylan Brooks, Tremaine Brown, Jr., Yahya Abdul-Mateen and Mamoudou Athie. The show is to premiere in 2016.