Eminem is widely referred to as a rap God and lyrical genius. He is arguably one of the best rappers/freestylers in history and proved to be more than a white rapper using shock value to earn success with The Eminem Show. He showed the world his talent and what he is capable of as an artist. Although his career gained him respect, recognition, fame, and wealth, things weren’t always easy for the aspiring rapper.

Eminem didn’t exactly have an ideal childhood. Growing up with a drug addict for a mother in a dangerous neighborhood, Eminem never felt safe at home and spent his time rap battling on the streets. He turned his pain into incredible lyrics, which led to wealth and success. Talk about a “rags to riches” story! 8 Mile is a film loosely based on the Eminem’s life, depicting what it’s like to be an aspiring artist on the streets of Detroit.

We’ve got some behind-the-scenes facts about the rap movie and its accuracy in relation to Marshall Mather’s real life.

A Method Actor

The coveted white rapper has been a recognizable face since he first stepped on the music scene, but when 8 Mile came out, fans got to see him on the big screen for the very first time. Although he looked just like the Eminem we all know and love, he went through an extreme transformation for the movie.

He needed a movie makeover that required physical changes in order to play the down-and-out Detroit native living in a trailer park. At the time, Eminem was rocking his signature bleach blond hair, but he was asked to dye it back to brown for the movie.

Quentin Tarantino Almost Directed

Two of the most renowned filmmakers in Hollywood history wanted to direct Eminem’s motion picture – Danny Boyle and Quentin Tarantino – and both of them were incredibly close to getting the gig. Boyle even met with Eminem and producers but came to the conclusion that Boyle wouldn’t be able to direct the movie the way he wanted due to creative differences.

Quentin Tarantino wasn’t as close as Boyle, but rumor has it that Tarantino was extremely interested in working on the film. The only problem was that taking on the film would mean that Tarantino would have had to back out of making Kill Bill, which wasn’t really an option.

It Doesn’t Have the Same Ring to It

It’s not a huge surprise that 8 Mile has become a cult-classic film. I mean, Eminem is one of the top-selling artists in music history, and the movie came out at the height of his popularity. He shared details of his life through his lyrics, but fans were excited to see it on screen.

What is surprising is how quickly it picked up such a loyal fan base because when it was first sent out to theaters, the film was under the name “The Mars Project” in order to keep the project a secret before it was released. Plus, the title was undecided until it was almost completed and was worked under the name “Untitled Detroit Project.” They made the right choice going with 8 Mile. The Mars Project isn’t as catchy.

Anthony Mackie’s First Movie

The man who recently took on the role of Captain America in one of the most historically successful cinematic film franchises faced his biggest enemy in 2002 – in his first movie ever. Yep, Papa Doc, the guy who was supposed to be the top-dog of Free World and dethrone Eminem as the ultimate freestyle rapper, was Anthony Mackie’s first acting role.

Can you say intimidating? As we mentioned, Mackie went on to have an impressive acting career in Hollywood, and it all started with Slim Shady. Who knows? Maybe he wouldn’t have made it in Hollywood without his 8 Mile performance. Either way, it’s a nice thing to have on your resume.

Possible Sequel

Do you ever wonder what an 8 Mile sequel would have looked like? Well, that thought came to the mind of highly sought-after director Kurt Sutter (who created the Sons of Anarchy series). He actually started working on a second 8 Mile where a boxer loses custody of his daughter and tries to get her back.

Eminem was supposed to play the role of the boxer. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out with Eminem as the lead, and the project fell through. Although Jake Gyllenhaal was brought in as a replacement, the entire potential 8 Mile sequel subplot was nixed.

Mekhi Phifer Almost Didn’t Audition

Mekhi Phifer almost didn’t take his role in 8 Mile. Now, that’s a behind-the-scenes fact that is terrifying for two reasons. The first obviously being that audiences can’t imagine anyone other than Mekhi Phifer playing the role of B-Rabbit’s “Uncle-Tom” friend, Future.

But the second reason is even more frightening. The reason Phifer almost passed up the role was that he was required to travel to Detroit for the audition… two days after the 9/11 attack, and Phifer was residing in New York City. He was way too nervous about getting on a plane right after the tragedy, which is totally understandable. He ended up conquering his fear, and viewers everywhere are happy that he did.

Eminem Was Supposed to Lip-Sync

There are nearly a dozen instances in 8 Mile, where Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith Jr. shows off his lyrical genius, but one scene, in particular, was never meant to come out as authentic as it did: the freestyle battle in the parking lot.

According to the script and director, Eminem was meant to write a “freestyle,” which would be dubbed over in the film as he just mimed some words to the camera. But as he was listening to other people spitting out lyrics, Slim Shady stepped in to do what he does best.

The Better to Hear You With, My Dear

One of the greatest things about Eminem, and why everyone gravitates toward him, is that he’s not shy about calling anyone out, even himself. Marshall Mathers has always been the kind of guy to say it how it is, which you can tell just by listening to his lyrics. He can make fun of anyone with his clever rhymes.

He also has absolutely no problem calling himself out, which is evident in 8 Mile. The reason his character is nicknamed Bunny Rabbit is that Eminem has pretty big ears. Furthermore, when Em was a kid, people used to call him “Mickey” (aka Mickey Mouse) for the exact same reason.

The Final Battle Wasn’t Filmed at the Shelter

They couldn’t shoot the final battle of 8 Mile at The Shelter (Eminem’s original club). It’s usually considered a good thing when an old, dingy, run-down place is able to turn itself around and become a respectable place of business.

Director Curtis Anderson and Eminem agreed that it would add a unique authenticity to the movie if they would shoot the final rap battles at The Shelter, the club where Eminem got his start. Unfortunately, the club became a nice place, and it didn’t fit the vision for the scene. The idea was ultimately dropped.

He Wrote Songs in Between Takes

One of the most successful recording artists in the world is undoubtedly Marshall Mathers. Along with all the success comes an extremely tight schedule. Eminem was so busy while working on 8 Mile that he had to write the songs for the movie in between the takes and scenes he was shooting.

As we know, that ended up bringing us one of the greatest rap songs of all time, Lose Yourself. The song even went on to win an Oscar, making it the only rap song to ever win that coveted award. But are you surprised? I mean, this is Eminem we are talking about.

Eminem Overworked Himself

When I say Eminem was under a tight schedule during the movie’s production, I’m not kidding. He completely overworked himself and admitted to working “16 hours” a day because of how hectic of a year it was for the rapper. Needless to say, there were other things going on, other than just filming the movie.

In addition to his demanding movie work, Eminem was getting ready to launch 50 Cent’s career and recording his own album, The Eminem Show. He was also collaborating with various artists for the 8 Mile accompanying soundtrack album and had to produce the debut album of his Detroit rat pack, Devil’s Night. But you know what they say, hard work pays off.

Working Hard, Playing Harder

Although his hard work and dedication brought the rapper success, acknowledgment, and money, his overwhelming schedule began to take a toll on him. Instead of giving himself a break, overworking himself only made his substance abuse issues worse. On his next record, Encore, Eminem sounds exhausted, and it feels like a desperate cry for help.

“We were doing 16 hours on the set, and you had a certain window where you had to sleep. One day somebody gave me Ambien, and it knocked me the f*ck out. I was like, ‘I need this all the time,’” the rapper told Rolling Stone.

Cameos From Fellow Rappers

Of course, the star of 8 Mile is Eminem and the most recognizable face in the movie. But that doesn’t mean he was the only rapper to appear in the film. You may have noticed Poof, Eminem’s long-time best friend and D12 band member, who plays Lil’ Tic, B-Rabbit’s first battle opponent.

Xzibit, another Dr. Dre protégé, also made its way into the film. He portrays the rapper who battles Rabbit at the food truck. If you didn’t notice them the first time around, keep your eyes peeled the next time you watch the film. It only makes sense to incorporate real rappers in a movie all about rap.

The Movie’s Soundtrack Inadvertently Squashed a Feud

Two of Eminem’s biggest inspirations, Jay-Z and Nas, were at the peak of their feud during the production of 8 Mile. However, Em managed to work around the rivalry between the heavyweight rappers so that they would both be featured on the 8 Mile album soundtrack.

Somehow, Eminem indirectly, and perhaps accidentally, squashed the feud between the two rap legends, as they combined forces on the album. Jay-Z partnered up with State Property frontman Freeway for “8 Mile and Runnin,” and Nas’s track was “U Wanna Be Me,” number 10 on the album.

Chin Tiki No Longer Exists

The film’s infamous hangout spot, Chin Tiki, has been abandoned. Throughout the movie, we saw B-Rabbit and his friends often chilling at the Chin Tiki. As it turned out, it’s an exotic-themed nightclub in Motor City in real life, owned by Marvin Chin. Or, I should say “was.”

Thanks to Detroit’s economic turndown, the place closed down in 1980, two decades before the filming of the movie. But the actual building itself was demolished in 2009, seven years after 8 Mile came out. But unless you’re a Detroit native, this little detail probably flew over your head.

Is 8 Mile a True Story?

If I were to describe Eminem in one world, I think “extreme” would be the way I’d sum him up. He is known to go to extreme lengths in everything, good or bad. Whether he is making music or doing drugs, Eminem doesn’t mess around; it’s all or nothing with this guy.

In preparation for his role, Eminem took things to extreme measures, as always. Reportedly, the rapper lost 24 pounds for the movie so that he could portray the white, skinny trailer park kid more accurately. He even dyed his hair and covered his tattoos in order to separate himself from his character B-Rabbit.

Southpaw: 8 Mile Sequel

Knowing how demanding and hectic life was for the rapper while filming the movie, Eminem decided to never take a starring role in a movie or show since 8 Mile. An acting career was too much, and he wanted to focus on what he does best, spitting out those brilliant rhymes.

Although he was focused on his music career, Eminem was really close to signing on for the lead role in Southpaw back in 2009, but it ended up in Jake Gyllenhaal’s lap. Producing duo Alan and Peter Richie wanted the movie to be a spiritual sequel to 8 Mile. “I thought this guy hadn’t done a movie in a number of years; this might be interesting to him, and dare I say, a sequel to 8 Mile. Not literally in story, but a good fit for him,” Peter exclaimed.

Writing Lose Yourself

Eminem’s signature song, Lose Yourself, was written during his breaks on the set of 8 Mile. The creativity in the hit song sums up the struggles that Eminem’s character is dealing with and how they relate to Eminem’s real life. Plus, it showcases the rapper’s lyrical genius.

If you ever want to pump yourself up, just play the song. My high school basketball team loved to play it before games. The song made history, and although it was the only rap song to ever win an Oscar, Eminem didn’t even bother showing up to the ceremony. In true Marshall Mathers fashion, he decided to stay home with his daughter instead.

Cheddar Bob Never Shot Himself

In the documentary Eminem: Diamonds and Pearls, one of the rapper’s childhood friends, Robert Claus, claims to be the guy who inspired Cheddar Bob’s character in 8 Mile. In the film, Cheddar Bob is depicted as a dumb but lovable friend who is also an aspiring artist.

He is best known for when he shoots himself in the leg in the movie. As it turns out, the real-life Bob never actually shot himself. Plus, Claus doesn’t seem nearly as endearing as Cheddar Bob. Robert Claus did, however, become an Emcee under the name DJ Rec. He was modestly successful too.

Eminem Was Arrested for the Paintball Shooting in Real Life

During one famous scene in 8 Mile, B-Rabbit and his buddies drive around with a paintball gun. They were messing around, taking turns shooting buildings and signs, until Rabbit (who is driving) took his turn and shot a parked police car. There was a brief chase, but luckily, Rabbit managed to elude the cops.

In real life, something similar happened with 20-year-old Marshall Mathers, but he was arrested. But according to police reports, the paintball didn’t even break anything, and Eminem didn’t even shoot it; his friend did. The alleged victim didn’t show up to court, so nothing came of his arrest. The 8 Mile version of events is much more exciting.

Contrary to Popular Belief, Eminem Didn’t Live in a Trailer Park

Based on his lyrics, interviews, and a movie loosely based on his life, you don’t have to be an Eminem superfan to know that he didn’t have an ideal childhood. But he didn’t spend too much time in trailers like his character did in 8 Mile.

Although he did live in trailers on a few occasions, he grew up in a small house most of the time, which is pictured on the Marshall Mathers LP. One of the major sets for 8 Mile was the trailer park, and that kind of life was depicted extremely well on screen. However, trailers weren’t such a big part of Eminem’s real life.

Eminem Probably Never Burned a House Down

In one famous 8 Mile scene, B-Rabbit and his crew decide to take the law into their own hands. Well, it was more like justice when they burned down an abandoned home where a little girl was sexually abused. In real life, neither Eminem nor his friends ever burned a house down. And if they did, they didn’t get caught.

The same week the rapper dropped the Marshall Mathers LP (featuring a photo of Marshall’s now-abandoned childhood home), that same house in Detroit caught on fire and caused major damage. The fire was started by “unknown causes.” Coincidence? I think not.

The Real Slim Shady Didn’t Work at a Factory

Just like Marshall Mathers, B-Rabbit worked odd jobs in order to pay the bills while he was pursuing his music-making dreams to become a rapper. In 8 Mile, Rabbit works at an automotive factory, which makes complete sense. At the time, the automotive industry was mostly viable in Detroit.

But the real Slim Shady never worked in a factory. He actually took a job as a short-order cook at a restaurant called Gibert’s Lodge. Then, Dr. Dre signed Em and got him the heck out of there. B-Rabbit almost worked as a hotel bellhop before they settled on the factory. But the rapper never worked at a hotel either.

Alex vs. Kim

In 8 Mile, he meets his love interest, Alex (played by Brittany Murphy), at work. They hook up, he develops feelings for her, and then he walks in on her cheating on him with some dude. Yikes! Infidelity certainly plagued Marshall’s real-life relationship with Kim Scott, so it’s easy to draw parallels. However, some of the details are a little iffy.

For example, Marshall met Kim back when he was 15, and the two were in a long-term (slightly toxic) relationship while Em was struggling to make it in the hip hop scene. In 1995 (the year the movie takes place), the couple had a daughter together. Their love story is a little bit different than the one depicted on screen.

Eminem Succeeds; B-Rabbit Struggles

The main storyline in 8 Mile is B-Rabbit struggling to get studio time and put an album out. All he wants is to make it in the music business, but the only way he achieves real success is through his rap battle performances, at work, and at The Shelter.

Now, Eminem did, in fact, start off doing rap battles, some held at The Shelter (a real venue in Detroit). But in 1995, the rapper recorded his first album, Infinite, and released it in 1996. His journey to fame was a little different than that of his 8 Mile counterpart, who was far from famous, in 1995.

B-Rabbit Was Actually Mickey Mouse

Marshall Mathers got his rap moniker in a pretty simple way, from his initials, M.M., or more famously, Eminem. In 8 Mile, you’ll notice his character Jimmy got his stage name from a childhood nickname. His own mother was the first to call him “Bunny Rabbit,” and since he had buck teeth and big ears, the name kind of just stuck.

In real life, baby Marshall also had big ears, but his family referred to him as “Mickey” (like the mouse) as opposed to calling him Rabbit. That could really have an effect on a person’s self-esteem.

Rabbit Is Talented; Eminem Is a Gifted Genius

People are naturally inclined to root for the underdog, and things are no different in 8 Mile. In order to truly appreciate Rabbit’s rap battle victory, audiences first watch him choke and lose a battle. Then, the character spends weeks practicing and preparing for his triumphant return.

Eminem makes it look super easy in real life. Rumor has it that it took him just 30 seconds to write the hook for “just lose it.” But Eminem is on a whole other level of creativity and talent. Spitting out rhymes and such impressive lyrics is definitely not as easy as it looks.

Covering His Tattoos

Another significant difference between B-Rabbit and Eminem lies in their physical traits. This may sound confusing, considering they are functionally the same person. But we mentioned how Eminem dropped a few pounds before taking on this role, but that wasn’t the only change.

Another distinguishable difference is Eminem’s tattoos; he covered them all up for the movie. Perhaps it was so that audiences could distinguish between Marshall Mathers, the rapper, and the character he is playing. Or maybe they couldn’t explain how the poor trailer park kid could afford all that ink.

Eminem Had a Little Brother, Not a Younger Sister

In 8 Mile, B-Rabbit lives in a run-down trailer home with his mother, who has her own set of issues. She is hooked on drugs, and Jimmy gets in a fight with her live-in boyfriends. All the drama pretty much forced Jimmy into being responsible for raising his younger sibling.

So far, this is pretty close to Eminem’s real life. One of the most noticeable differences is that in 8 Mile, Rabbit has a little sister named Lily. But in real life, Eminem has a younger brother named Nathan. Although the gender of the sibling differs, this comes really close to Eminem’s real family dynamic growing up.

Mixing Business and Pleasure

When it comes to online information, a lot of facts tend to be false. It’s no different when it comes to behind-the-scenes movie secrets, and here is a great example. B-Rabbit’s mom is portrayed by actress Kim Basinger. Rumors swirled about the costars getting a little too cozy (despite playing mother and son).

As it turned out, this eerie rumor was just that, a rumor. Hollywood Gossip alluded to the fact that the costars had a “more than a professional relationship” during production, but the rapper shot down these allegations saying, “[That] was completely untrue,” emphasizing that “I would not tell a lie.” I believe him. There are a lot of things you can say about Eminem, but a liar is not one of them.

Mekhi Phifer: Then and Now

Mekhi Phifer played Jimmy’s best friend Future in 8 Mile. Although this wasn’t Mekhi’s first acting gig, it was definitely the role that launched him into movie stardom. After 8 Mile, Mekhi starred as Dr. Gregory Pratt on the medical drama ER from 2002 to 2008. During that time, he appeared in films like Imposter, Honey, and Dawn of the Dead, to name just a few.

His acting career doesn’t seem to be slowing down. One of his latest roles was an 8-episode stint as Markus Knox on Truth Be Told (2019). Currently, he plays Harold Brooks on Love, Victor. Recently (in October 2020), Melki said he would “love” to work with Eminem again. “We would have some more fun for sure,” the actor added.

Brittany Murphy: Then and Now

Casting directors couldn’t pick a more perfect actress to play Alex, Jimmy’s love interest, than Brittany Murphy. She went on to star in hit films like Just Married, Uptown Girls, Sin City, and more. She was also the voice behind Luanne Platter on the animated series King of the Hill. 2014’s Something Wicked was the starlet’s last movie.

In 2009, the actress tragically passed away at just 32 years old. Her death was caused by a combination of pneumonia, iron deficiency, and multiple drug intoxication and was officially ruled accidental. When she died, she was married to Simon Monjack. Just months later, Simon was found dead under the same mysterious circumstances.

Kim Basinger: Then and Now

The very talented Kim Basinger did a beautiful job portraying Stephanie, Jimmy’s mom, in 8 Mile. She was already a huge star before appearing on 8 Miles, thanks to her roles in movies like Batman and L.A. Confidential. But her amazing performance as a drug addict mother definitely helped her career.

After 8 Mile, Kim starred in films like Cellular, The Sentinel, The Nice Guys, Fifty Shades Darker, and plenty more. In 2002, Kim divorced her second husband, Alec Baldwin. The pair tied the knot in 1993 and had their daughter Ireland in 1995.

De’Angelo Wilson: Then and Now

In 8 Mile, De’Angelo Wilson starred as Jimmy’s friend and Sol’s brother, DJ Iz. 8 Mile was actually De’Angelo’s feature film debut. He was a natural on screen and didn’t go unnoticed. After the success of 8 Mile, he landed roles in Antwone Fisher, The Salon, and Mercy Street.

But unfortunately, De’Angelo Wilson’s career was cut short. In 2008, the actor died by suicide in Los Angeles. He was just 28 years old at the time, making him the second actor from 8 Mile to lose their life far too soon. Wilson’s final film role was in Falling Away.

Taryn Manning: Then and Now

Taryn Manning played Jimmy’s ex-friend, Janeane, in the movie. Although 8 Mile definitely put her on the map, the actress got her breakout role a few years later in Hustle and Flow (2005). The actress continued to act in numerous projects throughout the years, including the films A Lot Like Love and Cold Mountain.

One of her most notable roles was on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, where she played Pennsatucky from 2013-2019. She also portrayed Michelle Knight in the Lifetime movie Cleveland Abduction, based on the real-life story of the Ariel Castro kidnapping. Her latest role is the title character in the upcoming film Karen.