Macaulay Culkin was Eminem’s first choice to play the role of a crazed fan in the 2000 music video for the rapper’s hit song ‘Stan’, according to an interview with the video’s star, Devon Sawa. Sawa, who had a successful run of roles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including parts in Final Destination and Casper, said that director Dr. Dre put his name forward as a replacement after Culkin was unable or unwilling to take the part. Sawa has previously spoken about the role as one of the proudest moments of his career.
The lasting impact of the song has seen the word ‘Stan’ added to the Oxford English Dictionary, used to refer to an overzealous or obsessive fan of a particular celebrity. The term has been added to the dictionary in both noun and verb form. Dido, who features on the song, has also confirmed that she named her son Stanley, although this was unrelated to the hit single.
This year it was also reported that Eminem would co-produce a new documentary called ‘Stans’, exploring the world of superfandom through his own experiences and the fans that have supported him throughout his career. The rapper’s most recent release, ‘Doomsday Pt 2’, has reignited a feud with former The Source magazine publisher Benzino. The track mocks Benzino’s financial and physical appearance in characteristic Eminem style.
Despite the controversy that surrounds him, Eminem remains one of the defining voices of his generation. The ‘Stan’ video, with its portrayal of a fan who becomes increasingly violent and obsessive, continues to be one of his most famous works, while Sawa’s performance in the role has become iconic. While the video could have been very different, with Culkin in the role, it’s hard to imagine the impact of ‘Stan’ being as great as it was without its iconic video and Sawa’s unforgettable performance
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