Eminem Plans a Return to the Big Screen, But Can He Forge a Successful Acting Career?

By Jason Newman Posted Jan 13th 2011 03:30PM

Nine years after his electrifying performance in the semi-autobiographical '8 Mile,' Eminem is planning his return to film in the upcoming thriller 'Random Acts of Violence.'

The reclusive rapper, whose 2010 album 'Recovery' was the best-selling album of the year, continues to work his way back into the national consciousness with a series of upcoming film roles. In addition to 'Violence,' the rapper is currently in production on the 3-D horror film 'Shady Talez' and the boxing-themed drama 'Southpaw.'

But as fans of both hip-hop and film know, the confluence of emcees and movies is not always the best fit. For every Mos Def in 'The Woodsman,' there's DMX in 'Cradle 2 the Grave.' For every Ludacris in 'Crash,' there's, well, Ludacris in 'Fred Claus.'

"I think it's a good role for Eminem," says Jake Paine, editor-in-chief of influential hip-hop website HipHopDX.com. "But I think we're all skeptical about 'rapper movies.' Still, Eminem, more than almost anybody in the last 10 years, has the potential to follow in the Fresh Prince [Will Smith] or Marky Mark's [Mark Wahlberg] ascent to legitimate acting."

Smith and Wahlberg have long solidified their presences in Hollywood and shed -- or matured, depending on your point of view -- their former careers. But both had all but retired from hip-hop when their acting careers began. (Smith would later reboot his musical career as a solo artist in 1997, but only after firmly establishing his acting career.) Juggling music and acting simultaneously is a much more difficult endeavor.

"I thought it was about time," admits Mecca, editor-at-large of hip-hop magazine The Source. "It's all he needed to complete a successful return. The script and storyline seem strong and expanding his resume with films is a great look."

According to Vulture, 'Random Acts of Violence' began as the cinematic equivalent to 'Grand Theft Auto,' the ultraviolent video game that emerged as one of the decade's most popular games. But 20th Century Fox shifted tone and brought in 'Californication' director David Von Ancken, who ditched the cars and created "a thriller more akin to 'The Town' or 'The Departed.'" The rapper will play an ex-con torn between his past partners in crime and the FBI agents hoping he'll wear a wire to bring them down.

(WARNING: CLIP CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)

Despite a limited resume, including a cameo in Judd Apatow's 'Funny People' and various video game and web cartoon voice-overs, the rapper's musical background, notes Mecca, could help him excel in the acting world. "Even in his music, he's known to play multiple characters in the space of one album. That combined with his gritty background should make the transition easy."

All rappers are actors to an extent, with most adopting exaggerated and outsized versions of themselves. But more than most, Eminem has always straddled the line between soul-bearing and outlandish, two traits that will suit him perfectly in front of the camera.

A superstar status in one field, however, far from assures equal footing in another. Exhibit A: the entire filmography of 50 Cent, whose roster of films, including 'Get Rich or Die Tryin',' 'Dead Man Running' and 'Twelve' have been blink-and-you'll-miss-em disasters.

For critics like Paine, the difference between Eminem and other rappers is vast: "People trust Eminem's art differently than they trust a Master P or 50 Cent. Even during his weaker albums, he holds fans' attention so securely. Through his concept records, he's a master of suspension of disbelief. More than anything, Eminem never makes his art feel cheap, and that's been a problem with a vast majority of 'rapper films.' Just give him a strong supporting cast and a talented director and he'll be fine."

Tags: Eminem

Comments

(12)

Thursday 13 January

By tony

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

he be alright and he can damn sure rap.

By Cutie

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.....rap an art form?? ugh.....just words by people who have no singing talent otherwise they'd write a book.

By Ted Bundy

I'm sure the Lifetime movie network would give him a gig as a man who beats his wife or girlfriend. He'd be great for a role like that.

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and with your screen name i know your mamas proud lmao.

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Yeah, at least I can have a sense a humor. But my mom is quite proud of me thank you very much.

By thedatagal

He's got the intensity and focus to be a success at whatever he wishes. I'm not a fan of his music but I do have respect for him.

By pb

This guys blows at everything. Rap and acting. Only little 16 year olds like him. Music is horrible. Go Back to the Trailor

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ha ha ha,you go back and learn how to spell.its trailer.

Monday 25 April

By pb can lick a hole

Yo pb how dare u downgrade one of the most contributing music idols in the industry soooo go to whereever hick town u listen to and lick a hole :)

By Rory McMaster

ok if he makes his return to acting then i'm sure that he'll still tour as a rapper coz i'm a big fan of what he does best. Bring it to NZ.

Friday 14 January

By kevin daniels

maybe he should get a tatoo on his face....all the cool kids are doing it

Saturday 05 February

By taiken888

I would like to see him in a movie or two...I think he is actually a decent actor. I am a fan of his, have been since I first heard Infinite. But I would be a little let down if he gave up music, and only pursued acting. I can understand that after making 7 albums, 6 successful, that he would want to maybe take a break from it. But I would like to hear at least one more album from him, like Recovery was, no skits, not a lot of silly stuff, just true hip-hop, and showcasing the real talent he has, not just being controversial. The controversial stuff got him in the spot light, and so we know he can do that, but fans of his also know that he has a true talent for hip hop. So as I said, I can understand if he is ready to take the money he has made with music, and call it quits, but I would still like to hear one more album, a true hip-hop album, like he did with Recovery. And I although I would like seeing him in a couple movies, I don't know that he would really want to make the transition to movie star, like Will Smith, or Mark Wahlberg, like the article said...while he is capable of doing so, hip hop is his true calling I think.

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