‘Southpaw’ Trailer: Jake Gyllenhaal Fights for Redemption

Each trailer for Southpaw has been better and more focused than the last, and the latest follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by using the second of two original tracks Eminem recorded for Antoine Fuqua’s film — this one is “Kings Never Die,” featuring Gwen Stefani. The trailers continue to lean a little too heavily on the family drama, while Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance in the boxing ring appears to be the main draw.

Eminem produced the soundtrack for Southpaw, while the late, great James Horner provided the film’s original score — it was the last score he composed (he also worked on the score for Chilean mining drama The 33, but Southpaw is hitting theaters first).

I don’t doubt for a second that Gyllenhaal, who made a startling transformation for Southpaw, is the best thing about this film. Fuqua’s previous effort, The Equalizer, was a solid, rowdy action drama for dads that ultimately fell a little flat, but hopefully with an injection of Gyllenhaal’s insanely committed acting skills, Southpaw will impress.

From acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY) and screenwriter Kurt Sutter (“Sons of Anarchy ), SOUTHPAW tells the riveting story of Billy “The Great” Hope, reigning Junior Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World (Academy Award® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal). Billy Hope seemingly has it all with an impressive career, a beautiful and loving wife (Rachel McAdams), an adorable daughter (Oona Laurence) and a lavish lifestyle. When tragedy strikes and his lifelong manager and friend (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) leaves him behind, Hope hits rock bottom and turns to an unlikely savior at a run-down local gym: Tick Willis (Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker), a retired fighter and trainer to the city’s toughest amateur boxers. With his future riding on Tick’s guidance and tenacity, Billy enters the hardest battle of his life as he struggles with redemption and to win back the trust of those he loves.

Southpaw co-stars Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker and Curtis Jackson, and hits theaters on July 24.