Channing Tatum's Divorce Pain Fuels 'Roofman' Performance

Channing Tatum has spoken about how his personal experiences, including his divorce from Jenna Dewan, have deeply influenced his portrayal of Jeffrey Manchester in the upcoming film 'Roofman.' Tatum shared in a recent Variety interview that embodying Manchester, a character estranged from his daughter, offered a cathartic outlet, allowing him to connect profoundly with the character's emotional struggles.

The actor acknowledged the significant personal pain stemming from his divorce from Dewan, a sentiment that he found resonated strongly with Manchester's fictional challenges. Tatum and Dewan, who first met on the set of 'Step Up,' finalized their divorce on September 25, 2024, after a protracted legal process. They remain co-parents to their teenage daughter, Everly.

'Roofman,' directed by Zoë Kravitz, is slated for release on October 10, 2025. The film, based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester—a former Army veteran who committed a series of robberies targeting McDonald's restaurants by entering through their roofs between November 1998 and 2000—premiered to critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025. Critics have widely praised Tatum's performance, with many deeming it his best to date.