According to an exclusive report, Amazon Studios has emerged victorious in a bidding war that kicked off before the holiday season over Channing Tatum’s next starring project, titled Red Shirt. This is the latest project of many in line for Tatum, who is represented by CAA, and Jacobson, Teller.
Channing Tatum has been a staple of the Hollywood scene for a long time, making his film debut in 2005 and getting his breakout role just one year later with 2006’s Step Up. Since then, the star has gone on to be one of the most successful names in the business, starring in big projects like the Magic Mike franchise, the 21 Jump Street franchise, and both of the more recent G.I. Joe adaptations, as well as several underappreciated movies. Most recently, he has lent his star power to the project Red Shirt, which he will both star in and produce via his Free Association company.
Tatum’s involvement led to a bidding war, in which Deadline exclusively reports that Amazon Studios has come out on top, beating out competition from the likes of Netflix, Universal, Sony, and Paramount to secure the project. The acquisition is being described as one of the biggest sales of the year and is another feather to the cap of the company responsible for outbidding HBO to acquire the rights to adapt Lord of the Rings and create The Rings of Power, which recently started filming for its second season ahead of the conclusion of the first installment.
Red Shirt is an original idea pitched by Simon Kinberg, and has 87 North producers Kelly McCormick and David Leitch attached, with Leitch also set to direct the project. While there aren’t many plot details available about the project, many early reports describe it as an international spy thriller, which fits in quite nicely as some of Channing Tatum’s best performances involve roles in adjacent genres. While generally seen as a comedic actor, Tatum has shown a versatility that is sure to comfort those going into Red Shirt with high hopes for another stellar performance.
Tatum has been exceptionally busy and in demand recently, taking on a role in Zoe Kravitz’s directorial debut P Island, while prior 2022 projects Dog and The Lost City are still being praised as successes. Also coming up for the star is a role reprisal for one of his most well-known roles, with Tatum baring his soul in the trailer for Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the third movie in the Magic Mike franchise. Whether Red Shirt will become as fondly discussed as the other project under Tatum’s belt remains to be seen, but Amazon Studios certainly thinks it has the potential.
Source: Deadline