Dreamworks does a K.O. on Eminem’s boxing drama, Southpaw

Dreamworks may have given SOUTHPAW the right hook, but Eminem and his boxing drama are not down for the count.

There was no reason mentioned as to why the studio dropped the project. Kurt Sutter’s (SONS OF ANARCHY) script was quickly nabbed up by Dreamworks. The story is about a welterweight boxer who struggles to the top to get the title, then his world is drastically changed when tragedy strikes.

Antoine Fuqua recently attached himself to direct the project, which was actually inspired by Eminem. Sutter explains, “In a way, this is a continuation of the 8 Mile story, but rather than a literal biography, we are doing a metaphorical narrative of the second chapter of his life. He’ll play a world champion boxer who really hits a hard bottom, and has to fight to win back his life for his young daughter. At its core, this is a retelling of his struggles over the last five years of his life, using the boxing analogy. I love that the title refers to [Eminem] being a lefty, which is to boxing what a white rapper is to hip hop; dangerous, unwanted and completely unorthodox. It’s a much harder road for a southpaw than a right-handed boxer.” It’s like THE WRESTLER for the youngsters.

In the meantime, the full film package will continue to be shopped around to other studios.