Kim Basinger will star as the rapper's mother

A few scenes for Eminem's movie - to be released next summer - were shot in the area earlier this month.

The film is being directed by Curtis Hanson, who made the Academy Awar- winning LA Confidential, and stars Kim Basinger has the rapper's mother.

The film - which has not yet been named - will feature Eminem in the role of a troubled youngster who finds his voice through hip-hop and is based loosely on his early life in Detroit.

"This story will only be as good as Eminem's performance, not how good he is as a musical performer but how he good he is dramatically," Hanson said.

Hanson confident of Eminem's success

Eminem, who's real name is Marshall Mathers III, has been hitting headlines since his debut single My Name Is in 1999.

The song contains the lyrics "my mom smokes more dope than I do" which prompted his mother to launch a $10m (�7m) lawsuit against him.

A Michigan judge later prevented Eminem's mother from claiming more money after settling legal action against the rapper.

Earlier this year he was sentenced to two years' probation for carrying a concealed weapon and another year's probation and community service for brandishing a weapon during an argument with the road manager for a rival act.

The rap star divorced his wife Kimberly Mathers in October after months of wrangling over the amount of child support the singer should pay.

She had previously sued her husband for defamation following the release of the song Kim, in which he detailed the fictional killing of his wife.

The pair reached a settlement for her $10m (�6.8m) legal action.