Channing Tatum’s Audition That Changed Everything

Channing Tatum is something of an enigma. While many associate him with action-packed blockbusters thanks to his imposing stature and roles in films such as White House Down, his true strength arguably lies in comedy. Over the years, he’s demonstrated a knack for humour and timing, working with some of the most respected directors in the business, including Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh. Clearly, he’s doing something right.

This year saw Tatum take the lead in the quietly received Roofman, a film based on the unlikely true story of a struggling father and ex-serviceman who resorts to robbing shops by cutting through their roofs, only to find himself trapped inside a Toys ’R’ Us for half a year. Although the film didn’t draw crowds to the cinema, it has since gained traction through word of mouth and is tipped to perform well on streaming platforms. Tatum’s portrayal of the central character has been widely praised, reinforcing his credentials as a leading man. This comes on the heels of his much-lauded performance in Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice, a psychological thriller centred on a sinister tech billionaire and a group of guests lured to a private island.

From Dance Floors to Dramatic Depths

Tatum’s journey from the early days of Coach Carter and Step Up—not to mention the infamous Magic Mike—to more varied roles has been anything but predictable. His comedic chops first came to the fore in the 2012 hit 21 Jump Street alongside Jonah Hill, followed by its equally successful sequel two years later. He also earned critical acclaim for his serious turn in the wrestling drama Foxcatcher with Steve Carell.

Yet, it was an audition for a very different sort of film that proved to be a turning point. Tatum once recounted his experience trying out for the Coen brothers’ No Country for Old Men, aiming for the part that ultimately went to Josh Brolin.

“I went on the life-changing audition, which was for the Coen brothers for No Country for Old Men. It was for the character Josh Brolin played. I knew I wasn’t right; I was probably 10 years too young. But I didn’t care: they were open to meeting me, and I wanted to meet them.”

Learning from Rejection

For Tatum, simply being in the same room as the Coens was reward enough, even if he realised from the outset that the odds were not in his favour. The film would go on to receive widespread acclaim, with Brolin’s portrayal of Llewelyn Moss earning him a Screen Actors’ Guild award. Tatum reflected on the experience:

“I knew I wasn’t getting it, no matter how much I went in there and nailed this and wanted it, so I let it go. And I walked in and was like, ‘Jesus, it’s good to meet you all. This is insane, man, I love you guys.’…I knew I couldn’t do it right, so I was just going to go in and let them direct me.”

Born in Alabama, Tatum has since amassed a filmography of over seventy titles and made his directorial debut in 2022. His career shows no sign of slowing, with eight projects currently in various stages of production. Among them is a role in the much-anticipated next Avengers instalment, Doomsday, set for release late next year, as well as Calamity Hustle, a film featuring Ryan Reynolds about two brothers who are both detectives and criminals.