While the rehabilitation of Channing Tatum is not complete and hasn’t even started in the eyes of the public, 2011 will in some ways begin the campaign by his PR team and agents to transform the actor from mindless “G.I. Joe” bo-hunk to semi-serious actor.
While the January release of the Ron Howard infidelity comedy “The Dilemma” will do little to change that perception, three roles shortly thereafter will be making a concerted effort to prove otherwise. At Sundance, the indie flick “Son of No One” will arrive, co-starring Al Pacino (and helmed by Dito Montiel who directed Tatum in “A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints” and “Fighting“), and as the lead in a gritty cop drama, it could prove he has some chops of which we weren’t previously aware. Then comes “The Eagle” co-starring Jamie Bell and directed by Kevin McDonald (“State Of Play,” “The King Of Scotland”) in February (looks OK at best to be honest), followed by Steven Soderbergh‘s “Haywire” in April. Between these three pics, perhaps we’ll see more to Tatum than his thick neck.
Point is, dude is actively trying to work with good people, filmmakers are taking the leap based on his serious approach (he’s apparently kicked ass in a lot of these auditions) and so 2011 should be an interesting year for the young actor. Further displaying a commitment to not simply starring in empty-headed roles, the actor has spearheaded the indie drama “Ten Year” which he is also co-producing under his 33andOut Prods banner. And he’s lined up a helluva cast to help him out.
The picture already stars his real-life wife Jenna Dewan and also features “The Hurt Locker” stars Brian Geraghty (this guy truly deserves a break out role) and Anthony Mackie, along with Kate Mara, Justin Long, Chris Pine, Scott Porter, Chris Pratt, Anna Faris and Scott Porter. The latest to join the cast is English actor Oscar Issac who last appeared as the huffy, temperamental king in Ridley Scott‘s “Robin Hood.”
The film centers on a group of friends approaching or at their 30s who reunite 10 years after college. The project comes from “Dear John” writer Jamie Linden, who’s set to make his directorial debut with shooting to begin in New Mexico this month. A long-form teaser trailer was released a few weeks back, but it appears to have been pulled down now. [THR]
