Now Channing Tatum Could Be Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Man From U.N.C.L.E.’
Apparently,Channing Tatumis the guy you call whenBradley Cooperdrops out of a project. Over the summer, Tatum’s namecame upfor Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s (now grounded)The Crowremake when Cooper left the project, and now that Cooper’s turned downSteven Soderbergh’sThe Man From U.N.C.L.E., Tatum’s reportedly being “eyed” for the lead.
Were Tatum to get the part, it would mark his third collaboration with the director — the two have already completedHaywiretogether, and are currently working on the male stripper picMagic Mike. More details after the jump.
NowThe Playlistreports that although no formal offers have gone out at this point, Soderbergh’s looking at Tatum as a potential to star as Solo, and that the two have already met to discuss the project. If Soderbergh and Warner Bros. decide on Tatum, his deal is likely to come together quickly.
As for the other major part — that of Solo’s partner, Russian spy Illya Kuryakin — casting is apparently still wide open. Though we’ve yet to hear thatJoel Edgertonis officially out, with Cooper gone it’s unlikely Edgerton will stay in that role.
Tatum has been working steadily since he first broke out in the mid-2000s, but he’s been extra busy in recent months. The actor has no fewer than five films lined up for 2012 already, including Soderbergh’sHaywireandMagic Mike, the romantic dramaThe Vow, the21 Jump Streetmovie, and theG.I. Joesequel.
And he’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime in the near future: he’s set to star in the Catherine the Great biopicLove and Honor, and hewas recently castin Bennett Miller’sFoxcatcher. Whether or not Tatum gets cast inU.N.C.L.E., you’d best learn to like him, because he’s going to beeverywherefor the next year.
