Cowboy Eminem

Film

13:30 14 June 2006

Eminem is to become a cowboy.

The rapper has signed up to star in a big screen remake of classic US TV show 'Have Gun Will Travel'.

Hollywood bosses are hoping the semi-retired star can repeat the critical and box office success he had with his 2002 semi-biopic '8 Mile'.

According to America's Variety newspaper, Eminem will play a modern version of the show's hero, Paladin - a professional gunfighter who works as a hired killer in post-Civil War America.

Richard Boone played the lead role in the TV series - which ran from 1957 until 1963. His character left a trademark calling card featuring the figure of a white chess knight and the words "Have Gun Will Travel... Wire Paladin, San Francisco".

Producers are believed to be considering relocating the movie's setting to Detroit - Eminem's hometown - and are even considering asking the star to provide a number of songs for the soundtrack.

Eminem - real name Marshall Mathers III - announced he was taking time out last year and went into rehab after becoming addicted to sleeping pills.

During that time Eminem also re-married, and split from, estranged wife Kim Mathers, and suffered the loss of his best man, rapper Proof, who was shot dead after a bar brawl.

(C) BANG Media International