Channing Tatum eyes new auteur project in Coen Bros’ ‘Hail, Caesar’

Coming off the enthusiastic reception of the Bennett Miller-directed drama “Foxcatcher” at the Cannes Film Festival last month, Channing Tatum looks to be working toward his own version of a McConaissance.

Like Matthew McConaughey, who made the leap from rom-com heartthrob to serious dramatic actor via movies such as “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Mud,” Tatum is showing ambitions of moving beyond the confines of mainstream studio fare, and with some top auteurs to boot.

The “22 Jump Street” star is in talks to join the cast Joel and Ethan Coen’s “Hail, Caesar!,” about a fixer in 1950s Hollywood who works for the studios to keep their stars out of trouble, according to a Variety report.

The Universal film, which the Oscar-winning siblings are directing from their own original script, also stars George Clooney and Josh Brolin. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes may come aboard as well. (Universal could not be reached for comment.)

Tatum has made a name for himself as a beefy action hero with a deft comedic touch. He’s saved the day in shoot-’em-ups like “White House Down” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and also played his jocky physique for laughs in “21 Jump Street” and its recent sequel.

The 34-year-old actor’s first foray outside the studio box and his own wheelhouse came when he collaborated with Steven Soderbergh on the male-stripper-movie “Magic Mike” (based on Tatum’s days as an exotic dancer) and the psychological thriller “Side Effects.”

“Foxcatcher” could mark another significant step for Tatum. The film, which tells the story of the twisted relationship between chemical-fortune heir John Eleuthere du Pont (Steve Carell) and Olympic wrestling brothers Dave (Mark Ruffalo) and Mark Schultz (Tatum), has already been the subject of awards-season buzz ahead of its Nov. 14 release from Sony Pictures Classics.

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