Rapper Eminem (and the lead vocalist of a South African band) was Neill Blomkamp's first choice to play the lead role of Max in his sci-fi feature film, Elysium. This was previously disclosed by Blomkamp himself, but how did actor Matt Damon react to the news. Said Damon, "I don't even think [Eminem] was my competition. I think Neill went to him, so there was no competition. He got the offer, but that's probably 75 percent of the things that I do — somebody else got the offer before — that's kind of the nature of the business. I think you end up getting the part you're supposed to get. The right actor gets the part, ultimately. In terms of me, I never asked Neill. I just found out about Eminem because I read it somewhere. It's not like they bring us all in for the cattle call: 'Goddamn it, Clooney's here! I knew it." Damon goes on to likening the process to asking your girlfriend about the guys she dated before you, it's just something you don't want to know.
RELATED CONTENT: New ELYSIUM Stills And Character Details New 'ELYSIUM' Feature Explores Blomkamp's World Running Time: 1 hr 50 minutes
Release Date: August 09, 2013
MPAA Rating: R, for violence and graphic language
Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, William Fichtner, Faran Tahir, Alice Braga
Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Written by: Neill Blomkamp
"In the year 2159, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes (Jodie Foster), a hard line government official, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. That doesn’t stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can. When unlucky Max (Matt Damon) is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds."
ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.