It’s easy to see Channing Tatum as the magnetic movie star — the dancer, the action hero, the comedic lead with effortless charm. But two decades into his career, the actor is reflecting on a profound personal evolution, one that transformed him from a fortunate newcomer into a seasoned artist who feels, for the first time, he has truly “earned a seat at the table.”
Tatum’s early career was defined by physical roles — from Step Up to G.I. Joe — leveraging his natural athleticism and charisma. But somewhere in the last decade, a shift occurred. He embraced challenging projects, often with auteur directors like Steven Soderbergh (Magic Mike, Side Effects) and, most recently, Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman, which recently made its world premiere at TIFF. These collaborations provided the real-world education he credits for his growth.
Roofman is a dark crime comedy based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), a former Army veteran and struggling father who became infamous for robbing a string of McDonald’s restaurants by entering through the roof. After escaping from prison, Manchester hides out undetected inside a Toys “R” Us store for six months. His elaborate double life becomes threatened when he meets and falls for Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mom, setting off a compelling and suspenseful cat-andmouse game as law enforcement closes in.
“I knew [Roofman] was going to be a love story, I wanted that — that longing for family, and that kind of a love that you get from family and someone that loves you for being you and not for what you’re performing as a partner or a father.”
Channing Tatum
Tatum had several conversations with the real Jeffrey while he was in prison. What broke Tatum’s heart was his longing for family. “I asked him what he wants to do when he gets out. It sort of broke my heart when he just said, ‘I know that they probably won’t let me adopt, because I’m a felon, but I’d love to adopt and have a second chance at being a father.’ And while I knew this was going to be a love story, I wanted that — that longing for family, and that kind of a love that you get from family and someone that loves you for being you and not for what you’re performing as a partner or a father,” he says.
The film is unlike anything Tatum has done in the past. While comedy will always be his signature beat, his venture into an emotional drama with hints of comedy and tragedy looks like a career headed in a new direction. The actor, who also serves as executive producer on the film, agrees.
He explains in our interview, “It shocks me when I think about it. I’ve acted for 20 years because I really do feel like every movie is your first movie — if you’re picking the right parts — because hopefully [it’s] something that you haven’t done before and you’re challenging yourself and doing something that maybe people haven’t seen, and that you maybe do not even know if you can do,” he says.
“For probably the very first time in my life, I feel like I’ve earned a seat at the table.”
Channing Tatum
“In the beginning of your career, I think it’s just like everybody; you just want to get a job,” Tatum explains. “I got lucky enough to start getting work before I really even knew how to act, and I think I was just kind of getting by on — I don’t even know what. As [I went], I did a lot of work, a lot of learning on the job. And now, after having so much experience learning along the way with really, really, really gifted and talented and well learned and experienced people that were so generous with me, for probably the very first time in my life, I feel like I’ve earned a seat at the table,” he says enthusiastically.
FEATURE PHOTO BY BRIAN BOWEN SMITH.
