Director: Eminem Almost Leapt Into 'Jumper' Lead Role

Access Hollywood - February 15, 2008 11:33 AM PST

Eminem established himself long ago as a rapper. But was "Slim Shady" possibly almost a "Jumper" too?

As it turns out, the famed white rapper was lined up to play the lead role in the new action film, "Jumper," director Doug Liman revealed to MTVNews.com.

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"We did have a meeting. We did have conversations with Eminem," the writer/director said about the rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers.

Eminem became a surprise box office star in 2002 in the autobiographical "8 Mile." Apparently, after being bitten by the acting bug, he spent some time looking for his next project when the "Jumper" script reportedly caught his eye in early 2006.

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At that same time, Liman (who was just a few months removed from directing "The Bourne Identity") entered talks about bringing Eminem on board to star as the teleporting David Rice in "Jumper."

"[The idea to meet with the rapper] was sort of coming from the producer and [Eminem's] manager," Liman told MTVNews.com.

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And while it may not have been his idea to bring him on board, Liman certainly wasn't opposed to it, especially after talking with Em.

"If I've proven anything to myself, it's that I can tailor a role to an actor… develop the role… and make it extremely specific to them," Liman recounted about being able to work the role around the rapper-turned-actor. "So as long as the person has acting chops, I'm open to talking to almost anybody for almost any role."

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But at the same time he was considering Eminem, Liman also met with another actor about the part - Hayden Christensen.

And as moviegoers are now aware, the former "Star Wars" star eventually landed the role, opposite Rachel Bilson and Samuel L. Jackson.

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Unfortunately for Eminem, as soon as Liman met with Christensen, the courtship of the rapper was all but over.

"At that point, I had already met Hayden and had fallen in love with Hayden," Liman added. "It was one of those things where the studio, with all things being equal, would rather put a bigger name in the movie [and wanted Eminem]. At some point, I just put my foot down and said, 'I love Hayden.'"

Of course, actors being considered and quickly replaced is a tale as old as Hollywood itself.

Recently, however, many rather big names have been replaced while waiting in line for their next starring role in a Doug Liman film.

While Matt Damon has made a name for himself chasing down bad guys in the "Bourne" franchise, it was almost one of his "Ocean's" pals, Brad Pitt, who stepped into the role of Jason Bourne.

And speaking of Brad, how different would things be now if Angelina Jolie hadn't shared the screen with him in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith?" What if, instead, that role went to the likes of another Hollywood beauty?

"The thing is that you're like, 'Oh my God, what would that movie have been like?'" Liman concluded, referencing the "Jumper" casting choice. "But you've got to understand that Nicole Kidman was originally cast as the lead in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' and Brad Pitt was originally the lead in 'Bourne Identity.'"

Both "Bourne Identity" and "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" were directed by Liman.

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comments 1-10 of 43  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • rawr_im_lYz!
    Real talent is something that should not be abused or sold out.
    report abuseposted February 14, 2009 1:27 PM PST
  • Dawndy
    OMG, I understand your comment ianpod2002. But you have to give it to Eminem he is REAL and I think that is what it all about. It's just and added bonus when you can put it into lyrics.
    report abuseposted January 2, 2009 4:28 PM PST
  • Ian
    Sooooo, I like Eminem too. Lyrically he is in my top five rappers, style wise top three. But, what the hell is with your posts people? If you actually talk anything like you write I feel sorry for you. Good luck getting a job anywhere other than burgerking....
    report abuseposted December 15, 2008 3:41 PM PST
  • Ian
    Sooooo, I like Eminem too. Lyrically he is in my top five rappers, style wise top three. But, what the hell is with your posts people? If you actually talk anything like you write I feel sorry for you. Good luck getting a job anywhere other than burgerking....
    report abuseposted December 15, 2008 3:41 PM PST
  • the sybilgurl
    huh...hayden was way better than eminem..youguys should have seen the movie
    report abuseposted October 27, 2008 9:53 PM PDT
  • the sybilgurl
    huh...hayden was way better than eminem..youguys should have seen the movie
    report abuseposted October 27, 2008 9:53 PM PDT
  • Angel
    I will alway think that he is hot. I know everything baout him we are from the same state I know the words to all of his songs I know tat his b- day is this month. I know his movie 8 mile by heart. I love him so much I want to meet him so badly. U jus don't even know. If for some odd reason em if you are reading this I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. The only thing I love more than u is god ad my f
    report abuseposted October 8, 2008 7:10 PM PDT
  • uno
    seriously eminem is n will always be the %@!*# %@!*# it im listin to his ass rite now toy soilders ans when im gone my friend IKE died he was the %@!*# too everybody loved him n it wasnt like he was %@!*#in class president or homcoming king or no %@!*# like dat he was just IKE n we loved him for dat... R.I.P IKE WE LOVE YOU
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 10:11 AM PDT
  • Ms Gia
    Eminem is in Hiding cause was Big And Fat from Deppresion of Loose his Friend that Died in a Fight when they all went home to Visit in Detroit!@ Ever Since then He has not been the Same. Now 50 need to Sit his Asss Back for a while like his HomeBoy eminem and The Come Better than Ever! I Cant Belive I was Likin 50 like that. Till he Burn his Baby Moms House I was Done! Baby Mother of America
    report abuseposted September 19, 2008 12:04 PM PDT
  • annie
    first of all WHO IZ THIS HAYDEN AND WWWAAATTT DID HE PLAY IN STAR WARS and eminem wod hav bin a MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!! actor cuz eminem iz AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
    report abuseposted July 31, 2008 7:52 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 43  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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