Eminem Plans a Return to the Big Screen, But Can He Forge a Successful Acting Career?

Nine years after his electrifying performance in the semi-autobiographical '8 Mile,' Eminem is planning his return to film in the upcoming thriller 'Random Acts of Violence.'

The reclusive rapper, whose 2010 album 'Recovery' was the best-selling album of the year, continues to work his way back into the national consciousness with a series of upcoming film roles. In addition to 'Violence,' the rapper is currently in production on the 3-D horror film 'Shady Talez' and the boxing-themed drama 'Southpaw.'

But as fans of both hip-hop and film know, the confluence of emcees and movies is not always the best fit. For every Mos Def in 'The Woodsman,' there's DMX in 'Cradle 2 the Grave.' For every Ludacris in 'Crash,' there's, well, Ludacris in 'Fred Claus.'

"I think it's a good role for Eminem," says Jake Paine, editor-in-chief of influential hip-hop website HipHopDX.com. "But I think we're all skeptical about 'rapper movies.' Still, Eminem, more than almost anybody in the last 10 years, has the potential to follow in the Fresh Prince [Will Smith] or Marky Mark's [Mark Wahlberg] ascent to legitimate acting."

Smith and Wahlberg have long solidified their presences in Hollywood and shed -- or matured, depending on your point of view -- their former careers. But both had all but retired from hip-hop when their acting careers began. (Smith would later reboot his musical career as a solo artist in 1997, but only after firmly establishing his acting career.) Juggling music and acting simultaneously is a much more difficult endeavor.

"I thought it was about time," admits Mecca, editor-at-large of hip-hop magazine The Source. "It's all he needed to complete a successful return. The script and storyline seem strong and expanding his resume with films is a great look."

According to Vulture, 'Random Acts of Violence' began as the cinematic equivalent to 'Grand Theft Auto,' the ultraviolent video game that emerged as one of the decade's most popular games. But 20th Century Fox shifted tone and brought in 'Californication' director David Von Ancken, who ditched the cars and created "a thriller more akin to 'The Town' or 'The Departed.'" The rapper will play an ex-con torn between his past partners in crime and the FBI agents hoping he'll wear a wire to bring them down.