The alternate title for this post was going to be ‘Why Channing Tatum is our Next Great Movie Star (and could win an Oscar soon)’ but I decided to spare you all the righteous indignation of it all. I decided to publish this after a lengthy Twitter discussion with Joseph, Joey, Robert, Mark and reader extraordinaire John Rivera regarding Channing Tatum. It started with me asking Joey if C-Tates, who is going to be in the presumed Oscar contender Foxcatcher, would be in a position to be nominated for an Oscar given that most people seem to be predicting big things from the film. It unraveled from there all in 140 characters (you can view the convo here and here) and I thought it might be fun to offer up a defense of the actor and really dig into his awards potential.
As a fan of Channing Tatum since seeing She’s the Man, I am generally miffed at the blowback he’s gotten over the years. He’s like the male version of Anne Hathaway, a hardworking actor who people seem to like directing ire toward. “C-Tates” critics are a bit different from Hathaway’s though, as the shade thrown his way is about his acting ability rather than overt earnestness. Even when he’s making people laughing hysterically or lust after him ridiculously, people till find the time to ridicule and hate the man. The reason it’s popped up on my radar is that, in an industry so starved for star wattage, that many people are missing the growth of a genuine movie star.
Of course what really makes a star is how much the audience is willing to go see them. One thing that I think people have often overlooked is C-Tates’ bankability outside of franchises. Look at the other major young actors that have been foisted on us in the past few years: Taylor Lautner, Shia LaBeouf, Robert Pattinson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Ryan Reynolds, Alex Pettyfer, Taylor Kitsch and Andrew Garfield. Ryan Reynolds is the only actor with 2 $100 million movies, Taylor Lautner (Valentine’s Day) and Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) have one $100 million hit outside of their franchise film, and Alex Pettyfer was in Magic Mike. On the flip side, C-Tates had 3 consecutive and 6 total $100 million films stateside.
Breaking it down even further, let’s look at his movie selection:
I’m certainly not going to vouch for all those films being quality movies, in fact a few of them are horrendous, but what young actor do you know has jumped around like that, not been the worst part of the film, and turned in some legit performances? This list doesn’t even include the sci-fi (Jupiter Ascending with the Wachowskis), the sequel (21 Jump Street 2), the Oscar contender (Foxcatcher) or the action flick (White House Down) that are currently in production with him attached. That’s a lot of range and you can’t attribute all that success to the genres he’s working in or his physique or how well he treats people, C-Tates has to be doing something right in the acting department to have this kind of success.
Determining acting ability and performance value is an incredibly difficult thing. You can look no farther than my feelings on J-Law in Silver Linings Playbook to see evidence of that. However, I strongly believe in order to be any kind of a good actor, the audience has to believe you in character, regardless of how much like your public persona a character appears to be. Just because C-Tates was a stripper in his past life doesn’t mean his performance in Magic Mike should have been as good it was nor does it mean his dopey persona would make his work in 21 Jump Street funnier. The more I stare at that list of films, the more I feel like the knock against his acting is a function of him not doing traditional baity roles that would prove that one could act.
However, this has actually worked out in Channing’s favor. What I most appreciate from Tatum is that you can see that he’s actively working hard to be a better actor. Channing isn’t going to disappear into a role like Daniel Day-Lewis because 1) those aren’t the types of characters he will play and 2) he’s been great at finding projects that use his ridiculous charisma in interesting ways. It’s one thing to play the built airhead, but another thing to get the audience to care about that character. Wouldn’t you rather an actor know their limitations and find interesting ways to work around them?
And before you shout “He plays the same role in every movie!” at me, let me pleasantly point out that most of our most cherished actors did nothing but “play themselves” throughout their careers. James Stewart was himself in every film, he couldn’t even be bothered to use an accent or change his vocal inflections for films (Vertigo and Rear Window) that take place on opposite ends of the country! And when was the last time you saw George Clooney in a role and didn’t feel like you were watching him play himself? Brad Pitt’s best performance ever (Moneyball) is essentially just him finding depth in a part that was tailor-made for him. Hell even Johnny Depp at this point is playing a Native American Muderous Barber Pirate Hatter caricature of himself. Now that is no shade to those men, but this concept of playing oneself being a negative can’t just be used for actors you don’t like.
The difference I see with Tatum is that unlike those actors who want you believe they’re not playing some variation of “themselves” is that Tatum is fully aware of the audiences’ preconceived notions, but he uses it to his advantage. I can totally appreciate an actor working consistently within an archetype but offering new shading each time. Tatum has played many an airhead jock type but you can’t tell me that his hilarious turn in 21 Jump Street is the same as his breakout in She’s the Man. I’d encourage everyone who feels like he can’t act to check out A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints or watch the confrontation scene with Cody Horn in Magic Mike if you need samples of him being able to “act”.
Now as far as awards potential is concerned, who knows what the Academy will do if/when they find themselves in position to nominate him but he could totally find himself in contention one day. If Jonah Hill (JONAH HILL!) can beat out Brad Pitt and Albert Brooks for an Oscar nomination, I’m pretty sure that given the right role, and Foxcatcher might just be that, Channing could see himself as an Oscar nominee. That statement alone might cause some people to think the world will end but I can think of far worse things the Academy has done than rewarding someone like C-Tates with a nom if the role is good enough. Remember it takes men a lot longer to even get on the Academy’s radar. I’d also like to add that perceived acting ability isn’t the end all be all for a nomination: C-Tates and Michael Fassbender currently have the same amount of Oscar nominations. What type of role could net him a nomination? I think that he excels in comedies so maybe doing a black comedy with the Coens or a romantic comedy with someone like David O. Russell could work. Or if all else fails play a real person.
What do you all think? Could Channing possibly become an Oscar nominee? Is he our next big movie star?
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Tags: 2013 releases, Channing Tatum, Foxcatcher, In Defense Of, Magic Mike, Oscar hopeful, upcoming projects, White House Down
29 Comments
I’m actually predicting him as a nominees for Foxcatcher. Could be the “holy shit he can act” moment for non-believers. I don’t hate him like others, but I’m still a skeptic.
koook160 (Robert MacFarlane)(Quote) (Reply)
I’m seriously considering predicting him because of that exact thing…although as evidenced by this piece I actually think he can act lol
Terence Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
I’m not a fan of Tatum, but anything is possible when it comes to Oscar. I think his best step forward would be to stay away from roles in films like Dear John and The Vow. Those types of films seem like good stepping stones to getting your career going, but he should be past that now. I’m not against anyone improving in their craft, so here’s hoping he wins me over one day.
Mark Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
I think that as a “leading man” he will still have to do romantic type films but he MUST stay away from Nicholas Sparks lol getting together with Russell would be a great move for him
Terence Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
I will remain a doubter. He may have some hidden ability when it comes to acting, but it certainly wasn’t on display in Side Effects or most other things I’ve seen him in. 21 Jump Street had a great part for him but not much else has yet.
Steve(Quote) (Reply)
Steve,
That’s not fair. He hardly had anything to do in Side effects. All he had to do is play the concern husband for like what 11 minutes. What he was in Dear John or The Vow
Watch A Guide To recognizing your saint. That converted to a believer. Even in The Dilemma. He was the only god awful thing about that movie. I felt like he was the only one who realize that he was in a comedy lol
Ray(Quote) (Reply)
I’ve seen A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints and I’d agree that he was good in that. There are other parts he’s had where he does a pretty great job. I won’t deny that (for Saints, 21 Jump Street, and the few minutes of Haywire he’s in), but he seems to keep stacking the deck against himself by being in some real junk. Between the Step Up movies he’s done, Nicholas Sparks stuff, and G.I. Joes, it could be a while before I reconsider my opinion. 21 Jump Street could be the beginning of a turn around, but even with the small part he had in Side Effects…it was just awkward and bad. What Soderbergh saw in him I couldn’t say.
steve(Quote) (Reply)
I really do like Tatum. He’s a good looking actor that doesn’t come across as arrogant on screen-how somebody like Megan Fox, etc. comes across. As for Oscars, I wouldn’t bet on it, but it could happy.
Tatum is an average actor when given the proper material and direction capable of delivering good performances. He was amazing in 21 Jump Street and really nailed his role in Magic Mike-especially the scene at the bank.
I think he could do well with David O. Russell in a darker role ala Bradley Cooper/Mark Wahlberg. Can he have a Ryan Gosling “Drive” type performance? Possibly. Can he have a Ryan Gosling “Blue Valentine” type performance? Maybe not.
The Sexiest Men alive do well with the Academy. Look at Bradley Cooper last year.
Tyler(Quote) (Reply)
Since you mentioned Bradley Cooper, I now want to see Silver Linings Playbook but with Channing in the lead lol
Terence Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
Blasphemy! If that’s the case why not have him play Lincoln or Jean Valjean.
Jeremy DC(Quote) (Reply)
Hey, Bennet Miller got Jonah Hill an nomination. Anything can happen with Foxcatcher.
Tyler(Quote) (Reply)
Good angle to look at this from. Bennet Miller’s two movies have gotten four acting nominations between themselves, one lead and one supporting each. Maybe Foxcatcher will continue that trend and we get nominations not only for Tatum, but also Steve Carell…?
UBourgeois(Quote) (Reply)
Well, I think Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo are the best chances for acting. According to set photos, the material, and buzz from the set, Carell is apparantely a revelation and Ruffalo transforms himself like we’ve never seen. But if Tatum has a juicy enough role…
UBourgeois,
Tyler(Quote) (Reply)
He apparently does have a juicy role as Ruffalo’s grieving brother.
koook160 (Robert MacFarlane)(Quote) (Reply)
There’s one of the checkmarks: grieving!
steve(Quote) (Reply)
I have the script. It mostly revolves around Steve and Tatum’s character.
Ray(Quote) (Reply)
Haywire, 21 Jump Street, Magic Mike, and Side Effects have combined to convince me of Tatum’s abilities. I too was dubious, but like Ryan Gosling in Drive, he transcended my expectations. I look forward to his work this year.
JamDenTel(Quote) (Reply)
I’ve notably been a huge Channing Tatum detractor for years, but in the past 24 months or so he’s started to move from what I saw as a terrible actor who sometimes impresses me (Stop-Loss) to someone who’s consistently improving and only sometimes churns out garbage (The Vow). With Bennett Miller’s guidance, an Oscar nomination is definitely possible…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
I thought Tatum was pretty bad until 2012 came around. I saw him in Haywire and was rather impressed and then came 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike. Now I think he’s deserving of the recognition he gets but I still say he was pretty awful in everything before 2012.
Jeremy DC(Quote) (Reply)
I have been a fan of Tatum’s since his breakout role in A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS (if you haven’t seen it, rent it immediately!). He has turned out some clunkers like G.I. Joe, but he excels in dramas, like STOP-LOSS. His collaborations with Steven Soderbergh (Haywire, Magic Mike, and Side Effects), have showcased his range. He is able to display an easy charm, but also a vulnerability, that can be effective. His work in 21 Jump Street showed that he doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Cristian(Quote) (Reply)
he is so great in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints! I wish more people had seen that movie
Terence Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
Gotta root for a guy from Cullman, Alabama. That’s my neck of the woods.
Well argued through and through, Terence (I like your little pie chart). However, minor quibble, I can’t say that Brad Pitt is the best example of an actor who has played himself throughout his career (and maybe I misunderstand, maybe you just mean in his best role, not his whole career). Mr. O’Brien, Jesse James, Det. David Mills, Jeffrey Goines, and Floyd the Stoner are all pretty different characters, and I don’t just mean on a conceptual level. Pitt has shown amazing diversity in choice and expression throughout his career, especially considering his annoying image as a Hollywood star (I remember at the 2008 academy awards, he seemed so pleased when the Anthony Hopkins referred to him as a “great character actor”). If we’re lucky, then Channing Tatum could be on his way to being another Brad Pitt.
Steve Glansberg(Quote) (Reply)
I have to agree with Steve here. Yes, some of Pitt’s roles worked off of his screen persona (Tyler Durden worked perfectly because of it), but he has far more range than “himself”. He’s been going deeper and deeper with his roles as his career goes on. I mean, his performance in The Tree of Life was almost entirely improvised.
So far, Tatum’s best work has been playing off of his screen persona. the reason he was appealing in Magic Mike is that he found a role that used things people can like about him and turn that into something entertaining and watchable. I’m starting to think he may be another Brad Pitt, so I’m cautiously optomistic.
koook160 (Robert MacFarlane)(Quote) (Reply)
I love Brad Pitt (talk about someone who should have a damn Oscar by now) but was just using him as an example. His turn in Moneyball is spectacular to me because he is essentially using every ounce of his movie star charisma in that part. There’s no scenery chewing or ACTING. Thus people think he’s playing himself.
Hopefully Tatum can get to that kind of level.
Terence Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
I agree with this Article. I realize my hate for Channing tatum started was after that performance in G.I Joe but then I saw him in A Guide to recognizing your saint I was like this dude could act. He also impress in stop loss. The problem is that not a lot of people seen those films. All they see is the guy from who does romantic movies. I’m glad 21 jump street turned a few around. It’s like you see I told you he had something. Hopefully he pulls great performance in Foxcatcher. Remember Mark Ruffulo tweet saying that Tatum is going to surprise people so I cant wait.
Ps. I like She’s the man too.
Ray(Quote) (Reply)
I guess I’m not allowed to mention “The Eagle,” because everyone knows where I stand with that movie…Suffice it to say, I honestly had never seen a single Channing Tatum film until ‘The Eagle’ and was pretty impressed by how he coped with such a specific time period. I didn’t find his acting bad at all. I was even more astounded by his turn in ‘Haywire’ — his subtlety and restraint worked well for fleshing out a character that was a lot more complicated and morally conflicted than initially pegged. He was FANTASTIC in 21 Jump Street, but for me Tatum’s career-best performance from what I’ve seen (again, haven’t seen a ton of Tatum films, so maybe there’s better examples out there) was the scene in ‘Magic Mike’ where his loan for his furniture business venture gets denied. There was an everyman quality about his acting in that specific scene that so many people could connect with. It was the kind of serious turn that may someday get recognized by awards groups. As far as Oscars go, I think Tatum needs to add more things to his resume that line up with that The Academy goes for. I said what I said in that Twitter post because of the competition this year, which once again looks stiff. Channing has one thing going for him, and it’s his likability factor. He’s loved by the public and gets along with his Hollywood peers a la Jennifer Lawrence. He’s already a movie star, but the “serious actor” label is on its way.
Joseph Braverman(Quote) (Reply)
LOL you can mention The Eagle but you won’t be helping my point haha.
That scene in the loan office was so great! I think that his everyman quality will be good to continue to get him fans so that when he delivers a “Serious actor” performance it’ll be all the much easier for him to get that nomination.
Terence Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
I’m in the “blah” group of Channing observers, but then I find it difficult to “hate” on any celebrity. So far there’s just no there there even in Magic Mike which I found to be boring rehash story interrupted by even worse male dancers. Whatever hormonal attraction he has for my feminine cohort got left out of my genes and his acting is so far just serviceable. That’s not to say something wonderful might not be on the horizon. I do agree that his generation of actors (i.e. Pattison, Lautner etc) are pretty much interchangeable cogs to put in the machine which bodes well for Tatum’s future.
Jamie(Quote) (Reply)
I think Channing is a really good actor, i really love what he did in Stop-Loss, the scene outside of the house when he build like a fort, is terrific!, and i think people only belive he just a pretty guy ( and he is the sexiest man alive!) but only imagine bradley cooper, he shoks me in Silver Linings Playbook. With the right role, Channing will be a oscar nominated actor, i will love seen that. For me there’s a group of actor which totally deserves a oscar nomination: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Stopp-loss, (500) Days of Summer and 50/50), Andrew Gardfield ( Never Let me Go, The Social Network) and the ones who have to be oscar winners: Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson, Blue Valentine) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Gangs of New York, Catch if me You Can, The Aviator, The Departed, Django Unchained, etc). I thing if Jonah Hill and Jesse Eissenberg are oscar nominees, why can’t Channing Tatum??? I believe he will have another amazing year with foxcatcher.
PS: I also still thinking that Jim Carrey totally deserves been a oscar nominee (even winner) with The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I Hope that Channing will be forgotten like Jim
FORGIVE MY ENGLISH!!!! i’not for an english speaking country!!!
paula gajardo(Quote) (Reply)