Netflix Sports Action Thriller Was Supposed To Star A Rap Legend

In case you’re not familiar with the film, Southpaw centers on a Light Heavyweight boxing champion named Billy “the Great” Hope, who reigns undefeated after a record 42 fights. Though his wife and young daughter fear for his safety in the ring, Billy is on the fast track to major success, as he plans to sign a multi-million dollar contract for three more fights over a two-year period. Billy’s life is completely flipped upside down however, when he gets into a brawl outside of the ring at a social event, which results in someone pulling a gun and shooting his wife in the scuffle.

After his wife dies in his arms, Billy becomes a complete wreck, and turns to alcohol and drugs to numb his pain. He even spirals out of control in the ring during his next fight, and headbutts the referee in the face, resulting in a long-term suspension from boxing.

With no income and no drive to carry on, Billy loses everything, including his home, his money, and even his daughter, who is sent to the care of Child Protective Services. As Southpaw continues building to its thrilling conclusion, Billy resolves to kick his drug habit, rise back to the top, and become the father that his daughter needs.

Jake Gyllenhaal perfectly captures the tone of the film as Billy Hope, and brings a level of complexity and depth that many actors could not muster in such a dark role. Still, it certainly would have been fascinating to see Eminem take on the part, since the role was written as an allegory to his actual life.

Unlike 8 Mile, which is based heavily on the early days of Eminem’s rap career rising through the Detroit battle scene, Southpaw was written to serve as an allegory for the MC’s struggles in the latter half of his career, after achieving massive fame.

In real life, Eminem struggled with a harrowing drug addiction after his best friend and former on-the-mic accomplice DeShaun ‘Proof’ Holton died in a gunfight outside a nightclub. As a result, he lost millions of dollars, lost control of his career, and nearly lost his daughter after suffering a near-fatal overdose in 2007.

Much like the protagonist of Southpaw, the “Houdini” rapper managed to rise up and fight his way back to the top due to the love and support of his young daughter, who just last week announced that she is pregnant with Eminem’s first grandchild.

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Though the film will always be mired with “what-if’s” regarding Eminem’s involvement, the rapper was still highly involved with the final project. He served as an uncredited producer for the movie, and even provided a handful of songs to the movie’s official soundtrack. Those interested in catching Southpaw today can find the heart-thumping movie streaming on Netflix.