If you’re hoping for a sequel to Eminem’s beloved 2002 film 8 Mile, don’t hold your breath. Actor Mekhi Phifer, who starred in the film with Em, said there will be no sequel.
On Monday (January 2), TMZ released video of a street interview with Hollywood star Mekhi Phifer. The cinematographer mentioned to the actor that 8 Mile recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in November and asked him this: People wonder why there hasn’t been a second one?
In response, Mekhi said there was no chance of a sequel, and he gave a good reason.
“Sometimes it’s best to just keep it at one,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just best to leave it alone. Once you’ve made a classic, there’s no need to mess with it.”
The 48-year-old actor also confirmed there has never been any talk of doing one – neither with him nor with Eminem.
“Nah. Probably not. Never,” he said. “I think, you know, leave the classics alone and everything will be fine. Let’s just live with the 8 miles.”
The cinematographer then suggested an idea for the sequel, which would be a story about what happens to Eminem’s character B-Rabbit after he finds success in the rap game two decades later. While Phifer thought the new arc would be interesting, he said he won’t be in the film and doubts Eminem would be interested in appearing in a sequel.
“The story we told is the story,” he said. “You know, I mean, it could be interesting, but I wouldn’t be there, and I’m sure Eminem wouldn’t be either.”
In the end, Mehki Phifer feels people should just enjoy 8 Mile as a standalone film with no sequel required.
8 Mile is arguably Eminem’s biggest film of his music and film career. In the flick, Em plays a Detroit rapper named Jimmy Smith (aka B-Rabbit) who is fighting his way to the top of the battle rap scene. Mekhi plays Future, Jimmy’s best friend and rap battle host. The film earned Em his first Academy Award win for Best Original Song for Lose Yourself at the 2003 Academy Awards.
The Diamond-certified song also earned him two trophies for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards.