'Funny People' Director Talks Eminem

Funny People director Judd Apatow recently spoke on Eminem's on-set performance in the upcoming Adam Sandler film and talked about his experience working with the comedic rapper.

While keeping Em's role under wraps, the director also spoke on Shady's work ethic as an actor.

"He was a fantastic actor, and the best moments ever in my career were pitching him new jokes to say and making him laugh really hard," Apatwo said in an interview. "He came early and well-prepared. I think he felt like, 'I'm entering a world of comedy here. I got to be on my game.' He was really funny, willing to say anything. I thought if I pitched him certain jokes, he'd say, 'No, no that's too far.'...Apparently, you can't shock Eminem with anything you have to say...To make him laugh super hard was really, really fun, and he's great in the movie. I'm glad that his scene kills, and so it's really exciting." (MTV) In addition to Shady, the upcoming film will also feature Wu-Tang Clan's RZA.

Article Tools


Posted 07/30/09 by Ryan in Movies/TV

So far, there's no more information available about what kind of role Eminem will play in the film, but a movie photo shows him sitting across from Sandler at a restaurant table, seemingly lending an ear -- perhaps in a friend role? Cast includes Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Norm MacDonald, Sarah Silverman, Aziz Ansari, RZA, Dave Attell and others. (Michigan Live) He is also reportedly being considered for an upcoming role in a Mark Wahlberg film.

"We were supposed to do this boxing movie together," Wahlberg said in an interview with DJ Whoo Kid about Matt Damon. "We were going to play brothers and I don't think he's really feeling up to it so maybe we'll get Eminem to play the part. It's because we want two guys with some real edge and I think he was attached to play one of the parts at one point. Me and him actually talked on the phone while I was in Philly making another movie so um, either that or my brother. There's not too many people that can be believed in as being brothers, maybe half brothers but still, these guys had a really hard life. We want it to kinda feel authentic as opposed to getting some soft Hollywood act." (Radio Planet TV) Aside from new films, Em recently updated fans on Relapse 2 and announced his forthcoming performance at this year's Voodoo Festival in Louisiana.

"I'm going to be doing the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans," Em announced via an interview. "Halloween weekend. This is probably my only live show for at least this year...I'm in the lab right now, trying to get ready for this second album...There's enough to make it right now, I might wanna do some new songs for it or what not, so I'm actually recording right now...I don't know [when the album is coming out.] It's probably looking like fourth quarter." (Shade 45)

Funny People lands in theaters Friday, July 31st.

Related Stories