Eminem New Album 2013: Matt Damon Downplays Slim Shady 'Elysium' Clash, "I Don't Even Think He was My Competition,' Release Date Rumors Surround Early Fall? [VIDEO]

Details surrounding Eminem's highly-anticipated upcoming album still remain a total mystery... although fans are hopping for an early fall release date. Absolutely NO new Slim Shady music has yet to leak online... but the "Not Afraid" rapper still remains one of the "Hottest Summer Superstars" of 2013! (At least according to MTV UK). Maybe it's because recent rumors suggest that Shady was film director Neil Blomkamp's first choice to snag the lead role in his new sci-fi blockbuster, "Elysium." Em turned down the offer, and it was handed off to Matt Damon. But according to the Golden Globe winner, Eminem was "never really any competition." Do Mstars readers agree?

Despite the fact that he remains VERY hush-hush about his eighth studio record, Shady still manages to stir avid online buzz:

Eminem New Album 2013, Kanye West Rants about Slim Shady 'Competition' in New LEAKED Interview [LISTEN]: Mystery 'NiNE/Redemption' Record to Overpower 'Yeezus?'

Eminem New Album 2013: Justin Bieber vs. Slim Shady 'Lose Yourself' VIDEO Goes VIRAL, 'Believe' Crooner 'Bombs' Rap Song Cover, Will Em Retaliate with 'Diss' Lyrics?

Eminem New Album 2013: Release Date, Tour RUMORS Loom as LeBron James Picks Slim Shady's Rap Song 'Not Afraid' for NBA 2K14 Video Game Soundtrack [Video/Tracklist]

Eminem New Album Release Date and TOUR Soon? Jay-Z Reminisces on 'Home & Home' Yankee Stadium Tour 2010 with Slim Shady, 'No Ego, Dream Come True' [VIDEO]

Eminem's also scoring some points in Hollywood... allegedly.

According to reports, "District 9" director wanted Marshall Mathers to star as Max DeCosta in the upcoming Sci-Fi thriller "Elysium." Shady turned down the role, because he only wanted to film in his hometown of Detroit. Matt Damon then snagged the lead part. And according to the "Good Will Hunting" actor, Em was never truly competition:

"I don't even think [Eminem] was my competition. I think [director] Neill [Blomkamp] went to him, so there was no competition... He got the offer, but that's probably 75 percent of the things that I do - somebody else got the offer before - that's kind of the nature of the business. I think you end up getting the part you're supposed to get. The right actor gets the part, ultimately. In terms of me, I never asked Neill. I just found out about Eminem because I read it somewhere."

Damon continued explaining to MTV, "I think Neill called [Eminem], and he passed, and then Neill called me. It's not like they bring us all in for the cattle call: 'Goddamn it, Clooney's here! I knew it.' It's the kind of thing like - before I was married - asking your girlfriend about ex-boyfriends. You don't want to know, and it doesn't affect your relationship. You just get the parts you get."

Check out the "Elysium" trailer below... do fans think Shady should have accepted the role?

The movie hits theaters Aug. 9. Eminem will be touring in Europe... and HOPEFULLY scheduling an official release for his new album.

Tags

Eminem, New Album, 2013, Release date, Matt Damon