Jake Gyllenhaal has been praised for his knockout performance in the upcoming boxing drama “Southpaw,” and the actor and his co-stars proved Monday they shouldn’t be messed with on the red carpet either.
Gyllenhaal plays down-on-his-luck boxer Billy Hope, who struggles with drug abuse, after losing his wife (played by Rachel McAdams) and his daughter (Oona Laurence) is taken from him.
The only way Hope can win back his family — and beat his drug habit — is by going back into the ring for another pro boxing match, with the help of trainer Titus “Tick” Wills (Forest Whitaker).
Despite the dark and serious plot of The Weinstein Company film, which was directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Kurt Sutter, the stars had fun on the red carpet showing off both their right and left hooks (which the movie is named after) during the New York Premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square.
Gyllenhaal, Eminem and Miguel Gomez posed for photographers with their fists up, while co-star 50 Cent didn’t appear to be distracted by his recent financial problems after filing for bankruptcy earlier this month.
“True Detective” actress McAdams revealed muscles of her own in a black dress with sexy cutouts, while Naomie Harris, who co-stars in the thriller as Angela Rivera, opted for a white one-shoulder dress.
“The View” host Rosie Perez, model Tyson Beckford, 50 Cent’s “Power” co-star Omari Hardwick and professional boxer Victor Ortiz also appeared at the star-filled event.
Originally eyed for the role that ultimately went to Gyllenhaal, Eminem executive produced the soundtrack for “Southpaw,” with his Shady Records, and released his single from the soundtrack called “Phenomenal” on July 2.
Eminem and Gyllenhaal jetted to New York, after making a surprise visit to a “Southpaw” screening a day earlier in Detroit.
Oscar-winning composer James Horner, who was killed in a plane crash on June 22, created the music for the film. The score will be released through Sony Classical on Friday, the same day “Southpaw” arrives in theaters.