press release

For immediate release

EXCLUSIVE NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN DVD BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
FIVE EMINEM RAP BATTLE OUTTAKES NEW EMINEM MUSIC VIDEO "SUPERMAN" AND MUCH MORE...

EMINEM STARS IN

8 MILE

COMING TO DVD AND VHS MARCH 18, 2003

Two DVD Versions Available
Including A Version With Uncensored Bonus Footage

Universal City, California, January 30, 2003 -- Multi-Grammy-winning, best-selling multi-platinum recording artist Eminem burns up the screen with "an undeniably charismatic performance" (Christy Lemire, Associated Press), in director Curtis Hanson's (L.A. Confidential, Wonder Boys) searing 8 MILE, coming to DVD and video March 18, 2003, from Universal Studios Home Video. The DVD will include Academy Award(r)-winner Hanson's groundbreaking critically acclaimed film, along with additional bonus features created specially for Eminem fans by Universal Studios Home Video. The DVD version is priced at $26.98 (S.R.P.) and $19.95 (M.A.P.). The VHS version is priced for rental. The order close for the DVD is February 11, 2003. The order close for the rental VHS is February 25, 2003.

To bring 8 MILE to the screen, Academy Award(r)-winning producer Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) and legendary rock-and-roll music producer and Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M, Jimmy Iovine, joined forces, each intent on transcending borders and discovering the dramatic potential of hip-hop, never before explored on film. Grazer notes: "I've been interested in hip-hop for more than 20 years. That's what made me want to learn more about its roots." The producer goes on to say, "I became interested in Eminem several years ago. He wasn't a star at the time, but I felt he had enormous charisma and that he could be explosive as a film star." Iovine, Dr. Dre and Paul Rosenberg had wanted to make a hip-hop film but nothing connected until they met Grazer. According to Iovine, "We kept hitting the ball and Brian Grazer was the first guy to hit it back."

Along with Eminem comes a remarkable cast that includes Oscar winner Kim Basinger (L.A. Confidential), as Stephanie, the down-on-her-luck but ever-hopeful mother to Eminem's Jimmy "Rabbit" Smith, Jr. 8 MILE also features strong supporting work from an acclaimed roster of young actors, including Mekhi Phifer (Impostor, O), Brittany Murphy (Don't Say a Word, Riding in Cars With Boys) and Taryn Manning (crazy/beautiful, White Oleander).

8 MILE stunned both critics and audiences with a combination of Eminem's emotionally raw big-screen debut and the film's account of one man's efforts to transcend his existence along 8 Mile Road, the city's dividing line between urban and suburban, between black and white. In the hands of director Hanson, 8 MILE is a provocative fictional examination of a critical week in a young man's life as he searches for his identity and a sense of purpose. As Oscar(r)-winning producer Grazer says, "It's about finding your own way, what really makes you happy, pursuing your dreams and not letting your talent go to waste."

"LOSE YOURSELF" IN ELECTRIFYING DVD BONUS FEATURES

The 8 MILE DVD contains special bonus features for millions of 8 MILE and Eminem fans, including "The Making of 8 MILE" and the following exclusive, never-before-seen footage, available in both censored and uncensored versions:

  • Five "Rap Battles" shot during the making of 8 MILE that feature spontaneous rap performances between Eminem and audience extras from the film.
  • The music video for "Superman," from the best-selling album "The Eminem Show," available only on the 8 MILE DVD.

MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MARKETING SUPPORT

Universal Studios Home Video will support the release of 8 Mile on VHS/DVD with a multi-million dollar media campaign that will heighten awareness through television, radio, and Internet advertising, generating over one billion consumer impressions. The national media campaign will kick off during music's biggest night "The Grammys" on February 23, generating over 19 million impressions.

CONSUMER PROMOTION

Consumers will receive a free DVD by mail when they purchase any two of the following DVD's: 8 Mile; Empire; How High and CB4. The offer is being communicated via sticker and insert on 8 Mile, Empire and Paper Soldiers.

SYNOPSIS

For Jimmy Smith, Jr. (Eminem), life is a daily fight just to keep hope alive. Feeding his dreams in the city's vibrant movie scene, Jimmy wages an extraordinary personal struggle to find his own voice - and earn a place in the world where rhymes rule, legends are born and every moment...is another chance.

DVD EDITION

Street Date: March 18, 2003
Order Close: February 11, 2003
Price: $26.98 S.R.P. ($19.95 M.A.P.)
Selection Number: 21981 (Widescreen); 22739 (Pan and Scan)
Edited Bonus Features Selection Number: WS-23305 FF: 23306
Running Time: 1 hour 51 minutes (film only)
Rating: R (for strong language, sexuality, some violence and drug use)
Number of Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Wide screen 2:35:1; Full Frame 1:33:1
Bonus Materials: Five "Rap Battles" shot during the making of 8 MILE, which feature spontaneous rap between Eminem and audience extras from the film; the music video for "Superman," from the best-selling album "The Eminem Show"; "The Making of 8 MILE" and more.

End of release