Channing Tatum is stepping into one of his most complex roles yet in “Roofman”, a crime drama based on the wild true story of Jeffrey Manchester. Directed by Blue Valentine’s Derek Cianfrance, the film follows Jeffrey Manchester, a former U.S. Army Reserve officer-turned-fugitive known as “Roofman” for his habit of robbing McDonald’s restaurants by entering through their roofs—and evading capture by hiding inside the walls of a Toys “R” Us.
“Roofman” Premise
Nicknamed “Roofman,” Manchester’s story is one of survival, reinvention, and redemption. The film picks up as he escapes prison and hides out in a toy store, where he falls for single mom Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst). Their unlikely romance adds heart to a story rooted in deception—especially with the film’s twisty tagline: “Based on a true story as told by a liar.”
The stacked cast includes Peter Dinklage, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Uzo Aduba, Jimmy O. Yang, and more. Tatum, also an executive producer, worked closely with Cianfrance to bring authenticity to the role.
Channing Tatum on the Pressure Bringing “Roofman” To Life
Tatum told Entertainment Weekly he felt “a lot of pressure” making “Roofman”, particularly because he was portraying a real person. “It’s impossible to tell someone’s real life story in 90 minutes,” Tatum said. “I really hope Jeff likes the movie. He’s made some bad decisions in his life. That is a fact. But he is probably the first one to tell you that. But I just find him such a beautiful and unfortunate soul. It breaks my heart; he’s so smart and alive, even on a phone call. The first time I ever talked to him, I was nervous, and he knew things about me and asked me about my life. He made things really easy.”
The trailer teases a moody, emotional ride, with stunning visuals and a haunting score. With its mix of suspense, romance, and redemption, “Roofman” is poised to be one of fall’s most buzzworthy releases.
With Channing Tatum leading a standout cast and crew, “Roofman” is shaping up to be a powerful watch. As the release nears, anticipation is building to see how this wild true story plays out on screen. “Roofman” hits theaters October 10 via Paramount and Miramax.
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