CHANNING TATUM MOVIE BYTES: ‘Fighting’, ‘Dear John’, ‘Step Up 3-D’, ‘Guide’, and ‘G.I. Joe’

I have found a lot more news all over the internet about Channing Tatum’s films. Check out today’s Channing Tatum Movie Bytes to get the latest scoop. Enjoy!!!

FIGHTING

In ‘Fighting‘, Channing plays Sean Arthur, a young ticket scalper that is introduced to the world of underground street fighting. Although the date has shifted a few times, we have a new release date for the action drama, and I have a feeling that this one might stick. The film is now scheduled to release on April 24, 2009, which is just a couple of days before Chan’s 29th birthday.

Kevin Misher, Misher Films helmer and one of the movie’s executive producers, has told me that he’s extremely excited about the movie. I’m totally excited too, because both he and the NBC Universal team who is marketing ‘Fighting‘ have confirmed that Channing Tatum Unwrapped will be kept in the loop on any future news about this project, so stay tuned.

DEAR JOHN

The cast continues to grow over on the set of Channing Tatum’s romantic drama ‘Dear John‘, Lasse Hallstrom’s adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling novel.

Last month, CarolinaAutism.org announced that a 6 year old Carolina Autism client has been chosen to star in ‘Dear John‘. They do not give his name, but confirmed that he will be playing the part of Alan. They said that the director chose a child with autism to play the part in a daring statement about authenticity and the ability of people with autism to work and participate in the entertainment industry. A person by the name of Phil Blevins, who works for Carolina Autism, has been retained to consult to the production on matters related to autism spectrum disorders.

A few days ago, we also learned from the Hollywood Reporter that the production has added veteran actor Richard Jenkins (’The Visitor’, ‘Burn After Reading’, “Six Feet Under”) to their cast. Jenkins will play the father of the young soldier John Tyree (Channing Tatum) who meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah Lynn Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), while on military leave.

Finally, Scott Porter (”Friday Night Lights”), who is rumored to be playing the character of Randy, recently mentioned in a TV Guide interview that Chris Cooper (’The Kingdom’, ‘Breach’) has also signed on to the cast, but did not mention what specific role he is playing.

‘Dear John‘, the epic love story that Chan is filming in South Carolina threw December, will be released in theaters some time around October 2009.

STEP UP 3-D

At the 2008 American Film Market (AFM), ComingSoon.net got their hands on some initial poster artwork for the highly anticipated ‘Step Up 3-D‘. AFM is where over 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties. Fans can click on the image on the left to view the new poster in the Channing Tatum Unwrapped Photo Gallery.

Although (in my humble opinion) I don’t think that Channing will be making an appearance in the third chapter of the extremely popular ‘Step Up’ franchise, based on an announcement producer Adam Shankman made on the show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, we do know for sure that ‘Step Up 2: The Streets‘ director Jon M. Chu and break out star Adam Sevani will be returning in ‘Step Up 3-D‘. I can’t wait to see the film that is set to hit theaters some time in 2009 or 2010.

A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS

Channing Tatum’s critically-acclaimed and award-winning drama ‘A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints‘ is being re-released on DVD next year in the US and Canada. Fans will be able to purchase the new A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (Steelbook) edition of the film on February 3, 2009, but you can get more details and pre-order on Amazon today.

G.I. JOE: RISE OF COBRA

I’m not sure if this one’s real or rumor, but I hear that a teaser/trailer will be released for Channing Tatum’s highly-anticipated, live action blockbuster ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra‘ in the next few weeks.

The treaser (not quite a trailer, but longer than a teaser) may have a debut during the previews of Keanu Reeves’ science fiction remake ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still‘ when it opens in US theaters on December 12, 2008, so fans should be on the look out for it. ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra‘ is scheduled to hit US theaters on August 7, 2009.

RUMOR OR REEL?: Jon M. Chu Will Direct Disney’s ‘Step Up 3-D’!!!!

I am extremely happy to say that this one is “REEL”!!! Because of the phenomenal success of Channing Tatum’s ‘Step Up‘ and ‘Step Up 2: The Streets‘, Disney has already decided to greenlight a third film called ‘Step Up 3-D’! You heard me right people…parts of the movie will actually be filmed in 3-D!!!!

Jon M. Chu, the insanely talented director of ‘Step Up 2‘, contacted me to let me know he is currently in negotiations to direct ‘Step Up 3-D’. After seeing what he did with ‘Step Up 2‘, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the negotiations work out, and we get to see another Jon Chu movie on the big screen soon. He’s an extremely cool guy and very passionate about his projects and that passion translates well on screen.

Even though he’s not officially directing the movie yet, here’s what Jon has to say about ‘Step Up 3-D’:

“The MOST AMAZING DANCE MOVIE EVER and the FIRST 3D DANCE MOVIE since Michael Jackson’s Captain EO. If you thought Step up 2 The Streets was explosive…this will knock you straight out of your socks. Get ready. It’s on. Well, almost. We just have to work out our deals, which could mean anything.”

If you want to learn a little more about Jon, feel free to check out a couple of great articles in The New York Times and the Palo Alto Daily News.

Most importantly, I want everyone here at CTU to wish Jon good luck on getting this directing gig. I don’t know at this point if Channing will be a part of the new movie, but I can safely say that we all can’t wait to see ‘Step Up 3-D’ in theaters (directed by Jon. M. Chu)!!!

Source: Variety and Jon M. Chu