Eminem Avoids Knockout Punch, "Southpaw" Laces Back Up

Grammy-winning rapper Eminem's Southpaw boxing flick appeared to be down for the count after getting nixed by DreamWorks last summer, however, the project has now been picked up.

According to reports, Sony Pictures has stepped up to continue the film's production.

When DreamWorks put the Eminem-led boxing pic "Southpaw" into turnaround in August, many industry insiders wondered whether another studio would be willing to get in the ring with director Antoine Fuqua, screenwriter Kurt Sutter and its controversial star. But Paul Rosenberg and Stuart Parr at Eminem's Shady Films banner and the father-and-son producing team of Alan and Peter Riche fought hard on its behalf, and their collective efforts have finally paid off, as MGM has closed a deal to make the gritty drama, which will be distributed by Sony Pictures. (Variety)

Around mid-August, DreamWorks made headlines for ditching Em's comeback film.

Eminem's planned return to screen acting just took one on the jaw. Southpaw, a story scripted by Kurt Sutter ("Sons of Anarchy") that would star the rapper as a lefty boxer whose life and career fall prey to tragedy, was picked up as a pitch by DreamWorks last year. But the studio today cut the project loose. Sutter and attached director Antoine Fuqua (himself a one-time Golden Gloves fighter) are free to take it elsewhere. (Slash Film)

Movie blogs speculated DreamWorks' decision may have been inspired by an oversaturation of boxing-themed films over the past few years.

Maybe DreamWorks was concerned the market is crowded with brawler films after The Fighter and the upcoming Gavin O'Connor-directed mixed martial arts drama Warrior, or maybe the studio's cautious after its big bet on Cowboys & Aliens didn't pay off. (Deadline)

In June, Training Day director Antoine Fuqua reportedly got hired to helm the film.

Just over a year ago we heard director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Shooter, Brooklyn's Finest) was set to helm a biopic about the late rapper Tupac Shakur. That project was supposed to begin production last September, but for some reason still hasn't gotten off the ground. Now 24 Frames reports that although Fuqua was still slated to direct the film as of last month, apparently he has since stepped away from the project and has moved onto another one with a living hip-hop artist. Apparently the director is now circling Southpaw, a new boxing drama which already has Marshall Mathers, or rather Eminem, attached to star. (First Showing)