Jake Gyllenhaal Is a Heavy Hitter in First ‘Southpaw’ Trailer (Video)

The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua based on a story by “Sons of Anarchy” creator Kurt Sutter

The Weinstein Company released the first trailer for the Jake Gyllenhaal boxing drama “Southpaw” through Eminem’s official Twitter account on Friday.

In the film, Gyllenhaal plays champion prize fighter Billy Hope. Despite making it to the top of the boxing world, Hope nevertheless lets his demons get the best of him, leading to the death of his wife (Rachel McAdams).

Consumed by grief and addiction, Hope loses his daughter Leila (Oona Laurence) to child protective services and is ultimately suspended from professional boxing.

Hope decides to stage a comeback with the help of trainer “Tick” Wills (Forest Whitaker). But can he overcome his past and fight for his future?

Eminem was previously attached to star in the film but dropped out in 2012. Antoine Fuqua, the director of “Training Day,” helmed the project. “Sons of Anarchy” creator Kurt Sutter and Richard Wenk wrote the screenplay.

It will be released in theaters on July 31.

Watch the trailer.

For the record: An earlier version of post misidentified the actress playing Leila. TheWrap regrets the error.

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