A representative for the 'The Way I Am' rapper says the movie is still possible to happen, adding, 'When the film does get made, the plan is that the bulk of it will be shot in Michigan.'
- May 10, 2012
AceShowbiz - Eminem will likely not return to the big screen in the near future. Focusing on his new music, the controversial rapper has decided to cancel the production of his long-planned boxing movie, "Southpaw".
Slim Shady's representative, Dennis Dennehy, confirmed that the $30.7-budgeted film project is now put on hold due to the Detroit rapper's busy schedule. "He's focusing on his music right now, so while he's doing that, while he's in that space, he wanted to put this on hold for the time being," the rep stated.
According to Detroit Free Press, "Southpaw" supposedly takes place around Detroit. It was projected to hire more than 200 crew members and 9,000 extras. Though being delayed, it is still possible the project could continue someday. "What I'm told is when the film does get made, the plan is that the bulk of it will be shot in Michigan. That was always the understanding," Dennehy added.
"Southpaw" centers on a welterweight boxer who fights to reclaim his past glory and win back the affection of his young daughter. The project was initially developed at DreamWorks, but it was later bought by MGM and set to be distributed by Sony Pictures. MGM has yet to comment on the canceled gig.
The project, which was supposed to mark Eminem's follow-up movie after 2002's "8 Mile", had hired Antoine Fuqua as the director and Kurt Sutter as the scribe. Back in 2010, Sutter told Deadline that the boxing movie seemed to be fittingly symbolic for the white rapper's own struggles.
