After more than 20 years since the release of the iconic hip-hop film 8 Mile, 50 Cent is developing a TV series with help from the man who gave the film the reputation it still has today, Eminem.
Rapper 50 Cent confirmed that he and Slim Shady are developing an 8 Mile series that will be much like the original Universal film. However, it won't be a shot-for-shot remake of the movie itself. Instead, it will be more of a modern version.
In an interview with BigBoyTV, 50 Cent confirmed that the 8 Mile show is currently in development. In his own words, 50 Cent said, "we're in motion." 50 Cent almost made it sound like it won't be another shameless follow-up on nostalgia. "It's gonna be big… You know, I ain't got no duds." 50 Cent made it clear that the 8 Mile TV series will be more of a "modern version" like the Bel-Air series while making it clear that he wants to put more details into the show. "I wanna be able to show and offer a lot more details — things that you would say in an interview or different things that you've already used that you put out there and stuff like that," he said. "You'll see those things kind of surface in the temperament of the characters."
50 Cent promising a more modernized version of the film through the upcoming TV show is an interesting wrinkle given that the original 8 Mile was also semi-autobiographical in how Eminem rose to prominence in the hip-hop industry. The film delved into the tough upbringing he had growing up and the obstacles he had to face to get to where he was. His rising above the struggles he had to face to get there played a part in how appealing the film still is even to this day and why fans are beyond stoked to know that there will be an 8 Mile TV series based on the film
While it is exciting that an 8 Mile TV series based on the movie is in development, the one thing fans hope for more than anything is that it doesn't compromise the original film's legacy. Remaking a classic TV show or movie is not new in Hollywood. Even worse, rebooting an inferior product compared to the original has usually been the case. Since Hollywood is now as shameless as ever in making soulless nostalgic cash grabs, that will breed caution about whether the 8 Mile series will fit into that category.
However, 50 Cent compared the upcoming series to Peacock's Bel Air remake, which has effectively been able to reboot its predecessor while not feeling like just an easy cash grab by also bringing some fresh material to its predecessor. By saying that, 50 Cent is seemingly more than aware of the legacy 8 Mile has as a film and wants to do everything in his power to add to its lore, not sabotage it. Since Eminem will also be involved with the show's development, much like he was with the original film, fans should be optimistic that this show could follow in Bel Air's footsteps.
8 Mile can currently be streamed on Netflix
Source: BigBoys TV/YouTube