Cracking the code to make it as a rapper is extremely difficult, and the few that figure it out can set themselves up for a lifetime of fame and fortune. Cranking out a mixtape is one thing, but topping the charts and headlining arenas is the ultimate goal for every person that puts pen to pad and hops into the studio. Once they reach the top, the possibilities for top rappers are endless.
Eminem, much like 50 Cent and Nicki Minaj, is a rapper that eventually set his sights on acting, and he blew people away with his performance in 8 Mile. Interestingly, Eminem has been offered some huge roles, including the role of Brian O’Conner in the film The Fast and the Furious.
Let’s take a look and see why Eminem passed on the role!
He Passed To Make 8 Mile
During the early part of the 2000s, Eminem was perhaps the hottest commodity in the rap game, and as such, movie studios began paying close attention with the belief that they could cash in on his popularity by casting him in a film. During that time, Eminem was approached to play Brian O’Conner in The Fast and the Furious.
The gift of hindsight has allowed to use to see that any person would have been crazy to pass on a role like this. The franchise has hauled in billions and is a global brand that has been a box office mainstay for quite some time. When the studio was assembling the cast, Eminem was high on their list of people to play a lead in the first film.
According to Looper, Eminem was already in the process of developing the film 8 Mile, and he was having to pass because of the commitment. Eventually, the role of Brian O’Conner would be up for the taking, and Paul Walker would be the actor to land the role and help catapult the film to success at the box office.
Eventually, things would work out for both films. Each of them would become a success in their own right, and Eminem would receive a ton of acclaim for the performance that he gave in 8 Mile. Sure, it didn’t spawn a franchise, but that film struck a chord with a huge audience that loved its grittiness.
8 Mile was the primary reason that Eminem passed on appearing in The Fast and the Furious, but it was not the only movie that he had to pass on during that time because of 8 Mile being developed.
He Also Turned Down Training Day For 8 Mile
With 8 Mile being developed, Eminem was having to pass on a movie that wound up spawning a massive franchise of films. Coincidentally, Eminem was also offered up a role in the hit film Training Day during that time, but 8 Mile once again forced him to pass on the opportunity.
According to Southpawer, Eminem was offered the role of Jake Hoyt in the film. As mentioned before, Eminem was forced to pass on the role, which opened the door for another actor to slide in and take the role. It would be Ethan Hawke who would make the most of the opportunity to act alongside Denzel Washington, even netting an Oscar nomination for his performance.
Not unlike 8 Mile, Training Day wound up being a huge success at the box office, and people were completely blown away with what Ethan Hawke and Denzel Washington brought to their roles. Not to be outdone, Eminem would take home as Oscar for 8 Mile, though it had to do with music and not his acting.
There were other notable roles that Eminem passed on through the years, but these two really stuck out given the era when it happened. Turns out, the role of Brian O’Conner would not be the only time that Eminem would have to turn down the folks making the Fast & Furious movies.
He Also Passed On The Song “See You Again” For Furious 7
Now, having already been turned down by Eminem for acting, the brass clearly thought that approaching him to do a song for them would work out. This, however, would not be the case.
For the film Furious 7, Eminem was approached to record a song for the project. Eminem has contributed songs to films before, and the franchise was hopeful that he would get on board. Eventually, Eminem would turn down the song, making it twice that he declined working with the franchise.
The song he wound up passing on was “See You Again” by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa, which would go on to be a global smash. According to Billboard, the song would be a certified 11x platinum, making it the biggest song to emerge from 2015.
8 Mile was a huge hit for Eminem during the 2000s, but it did prevent him from getting on board with some massive projects.