News

Eminem Saddles Back Up for the Silver Screen

Eminem is taking a break from the rap game, but he'll be dusting off his acting chops to play the lead in a feature film based on the hit '50s Western Have Gun Will Travel. Em previously portrayed himself (more or less) in 8 Mile, but this time he'll be taking on the role of bounty hunter Wire Paladin, originally played by Richard Boone. He won't have to get acquainted with a new environment, though, as producers are reportedly going to re-set the action in modern-day Detroit.

Em's manager, Paul Rosenberg, told Variety that fans should expect a "loose" interpretation of the original material, with new characters and a revamped storyline. This means, unfortunately, that audiences may miss out on seeing Eminem quote Shakespeare, sip brandy, and play a wicked game of chess. Rosenberg is expected to be a producer on the project, along with Interscope head honcho Jimmy Iovine. Although no start dates have been announced, Paramount is reportedly eager to get the project moving now that their star -- who enjoyed box office success with 8 Mile -- has been secured.

And proving that there's no such thing as a retired rapper, ol' Slim is expected to lend his flow to the movie's soundtrack.

Eminem will have fairly big shoes to fill -- at least for those few folks in his audience who are old enough to remember the original Have Gun, which had a successful run on CBS from 1957 to 1963, and earned a pair of Emmy nominations for Boone.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
06.14.06