Eminem to Co-Produce ‘Stans’—A Documentary on Fanatical Fans

Photo Credit: EJ Hersom for DOD News Feature / CC by 2.0

Eminem is co-producing a documentary on the phenomenon of ‘Stans,’ fanatical and sometimes delusional superfans. Stans has become the universal name for the phenomenon of a ‘stalker fan.’Nearly 25 years after the release of his song “Stan” that would lead to the term of the same name for fanatical superfans, Eminem is co-producing a documentary on the phenomenon — also called “Stans” — via his Shady Films, in association with DIGA Studios and Hill District Media, with initial distribution from Paramount and MTV. Directed by Steven Leckart, the film is slated for a 2025 release.

According to a report from Variety, “Stans” is currently only a working title, but the film is set to be “a revealing, edgy, and disarmingly personal journey into the world of superfandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic and enduring artists, Eminem, and the fans that worship him.”

“‘Stans will be the opportunity for us to turn the camera around and ask the audience about being fans — and in some cases, fanatics,” said Shady Films’ Stuart Parr and Eminem’s longtime manager, Paul Rosenberg. “This is a study of the relationship between fanbase and artist through the lens of one of Eminem’s most fascinating songs and one of the world’s most important entertainers.”“Paul Rosenberg and I have known each other since my days on MTV’s ‘TRL,’ a show that was driven by the power of fandom, bringing artists and their fans together,” adds Tony DiSanto, DIGA CEO and a former top MTV executive. “So when he told me about the idea for this film, it felt like we had come full circle. ‘Stans’ will explore the complex relationship between fame and superfandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic artists, Eminem, his music, and especially, his most extreme fans.”

The film’s director, Steven Leckart, is credited with writing such documentaries as “What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali,” the Hulu series “Legacy: True Story of the LA Lakers,” on which he also served as executive producer, and directing credits for “Challenger: The Final Flight.”