Eminem Thows in the Towel on `Southpaw'; Jake Gyllenhaal Puts on The Gloves

Eminem’s new album takes precedence over acting. Slim Shady knocked himself out of the role as lefthanded boxer in the upcoming film “Southpaw.”

This is the second time Eminem has dropped out of a movie project. Marshall Mathers is not Elvis Presley, in spite of his star turn in the hip-hop hit “8 Mile” 11 years ago.

Being on the big screen is no big thing for Eminem. He has no other films lined up.

This Wrap broke the news that Eminem pulled out of "Southpaw," and announced that Jake Gyllenhaal is in negotiations to take Eminem's place.

The long-in-development sports film "Southpaw" is about a left-handed boxer who wins a title right before his life falls apart estranging him from his daughter. The film has been passed through movie studios DreamWorks, MGM, and Sony. “Southpaw” is now being produced by The Weinstein Company. The Eminem-less “Southpaw will be directed by Antoine Fuqua who made "Training Day."

Eminem was also set to play in the Neill Blomkamp film "Elysium," but he ultimately turned it down. Matt Damon will now appear in the film.

The last time Eminem was in the movies was in the 2008 comedy "Funny People" where he kidded his own image. Eminem starred in the 2002 drama based on his own hip-hop life,"8 Mile." Everyone thought Eminem would pull an Elvis and make movies instead of music, but no, not Eminem. But he did pull an Oscar for Best Song out of it. For a musician nightlighting as an actor, that’s even better.

Eminem will release his eighth studio album, "The Marshall Mathers LP 2," next week. Eminem’s new album has already generated the hits "Berzerk," "Survival" and "Rap God." Eminem just released a duet with Rihanna called "The Monster." They hit the charts together before on "Love the Way You Lie" off Eminem's 2010 album, "Recovery."

"The Marshall Mathers LP 2" drops on Nov. 5. "Southpaw” goes into production next year.