Key Takeaways:
– Channing Tatum embarked on an unconventional journey to secure his role in Quentin Tarantino's ‘The Hateful Eight'.
– He sent an email daily to Tarantino and was ready to fight other potential candidates for the part.
– Despite initially feeling nervous as a new addition to the Tarantino film universe, Tatum managed to deliver a memorable performance.
The Pursuit of a Role in Tarantino's World
Hollywood heartthrob Channing Tatum, renowned for his pivotal roles in films such as ‘Step Up', ‘Magic Mike', and '21 Jump Street', confessed to Jimmy Fallon on ‘The Tonight Show' his unconventional approach to ensuring his role in Quentin Tarantino's ‘The Hateful Eight'. Going beyond standard audition processes, Tatum demonstrated his desperation for the part of Jody Domingre by continuously emailing Tarantino and playfully threatening other prospective actors.
In his confession, the actor disclosed that he was prepared to out-compete potential rivals in an extreme way; suggesting he would barricade himself in a doorless, windowless room and the role would be accorded to whoever emerged victorious.
Despite this joke-filled determination, Tatum was relieved that he didn't have to face off with tougher competitors. Imagining a scenario with himself and boxer Mike Tyson vying for the same role, Tatum laughingly stated, “I was just praying that no one really tough was up for the role.”
Fresh Addition to an Established Cast
‘The Hateful Eight' boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Walton Goggins, among others. Esthering into such an acclaimed team, Tatum found himself in a state of nervous anticipation, especially since most of them had previous experiences working with Tarantino.
In an interview with Access, Tatum admitted to feeling overwhelmed and noted, “So, it was definitely nerve-racking. Even the table read was nerve-racking, man. [Samuel L. Jackson] was the only person who I'd worked with before. I met Kurt [Russell] very quickly one time. And that's really it.”
A Near Accident at the Table Read
Tatum recounted a humorous incident that transpired during their first table read. When shaking hands with co-star Bruce Dern, he got so carried away that he almost dislocated Dern's arm. This just illustrates the level of anxiety he was dealing with as he was stepping into a fresh territory.
Role Adjustments for Tatum's Arrival
Interestingly, Tatum's part was initially conceived for an older actor. Despite this, it seems that Tarantino was sufficiently impressed with Tatum's drive and enthusiasm, and chose to alter the specifics of the role to suit Tatum's distinct personality. This decision ultimately paid off as his on-screen persona left a lasting impression on the audience.
‘The Hateful Eight' is currently available for streaming on various platforms including Netflix. If you're a Channing Tatum fan or simply fond of Tarantino's cinematic vision, this film should definitely be on your watch list.
