Southpaw

[projekktor id=’20066′]

Southpaw is a sports drama written by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter and directed by Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer). The project was originally conceived as a starring vehicle for Eminem, but the rapper ended up taking a more behind the scenes role instead. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, and Rachel McAdams.

From acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY) and screenwriters Kurt Sutter (“Sons of Anarchy”), SOUTHPAW tells the riveting story of Billy “The Great” Hope, reigning Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World (Academy Award® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal). Billy Hope seemingly has it all with an impressive career, a beautiful and loving wife (Rachel McAdams), an adorable daughter (Oona Laurence) and a lavish lifestyle. When tragedy strikes and his lifelong manager and friend (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) leaves him behind, Hope hits rock bottom and turns to an unlikely saviour at a run-down local gym: Tick Willis (Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker), a retired fighter and trainer to the city’s toughest amateur boxers. With his future riding on Tick’s guidance and tenacity, Billy enters the hardest battle of his life as he struggles with redemption and to win back the trust of those he loves.

Fuqua needed an actor that would commit to the role and the amount of training involved, and he found that in Gyllenhaal. “The reason why I like to play certain characters is because of the doubt that I have in my ability to do it,” the actor explains. “Antoine believed in me years before I even knew, and then in the process he believed I could do it. I think that belief in anybody allows you to go do your best work.”

Southpaw is rated 14A.