Eminem’s classic on-screen rap battle in the final scenes of “8 Mile” wasn’t completely an act, turns out … Slim Shady was actually shooting real-life darts at Anthony Mackie!!!
Of course, Mackie played the “Papa Doc” role who got lyrically trounced by Em’s “B-Rabbit” character … but he’s revealing the brutal bars were literally about him.
The newly minted Captain America relived the experience on the ‘Pivot’ podcast … “8 Mile” was his first role and he and Em got considerable time on set getting to know each other.
The 2002 flick was a loose translation of Em’s Detroit upbringing, and Mackie shared his life story with the legendary rapper, telling him about his Juilliard School training and growing up in a two-parent household in New Orleans.
Unbeknownst to Mackie, Em was turning the info into ammo for B-Rabbit … the jabs about private school and having a safe, suburban life were totally inspired by their convo!!!
Although their characters clashed in the script, Em felt like the story needed a little more oomph and have everyone stuck off the reality.
Em’s theme song “Lose Yourself” also won the Oscar for Best Song … and that’s literally what he did to complete that final scene!!!
