"He's a cinephile" - Channing Tatum reveals the real Roofman is a movie buff and would love to work in movies

Channing Tatum plays a role based on a real person in Roofman. While speaking about the movie recently, he noted that the real man behind the story, Jeffrey Manchester, was a movie buff. He also said that Manchester would love to work in movies.

The film is directed by Derek Cianfrance, known for his work on Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines. The trailer for Roofman was released on June 25, 2025, and the movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, 2025. It is scheduled for release in the United States on October 10, 2025.

During the news coverage of his film Roofman, Channing Tatum discussed how he spoke to Jeffrey Manchester, who inspired the story. The interview took place on September 6, 2025, during TIFF with CBC. In that interview, Tatum explained the background of their conversations, how they took place by phone from prison, and how often they happened over a period of weeks.

He noted that Manchester would often discuss his favorite films and directors and that these calls helped him prepare for the role.

“I talked to him probably for two months, almost every day. We talked mainly about film. Like how little things happen. Like what movies did he love. Jaws was like, like, he saw it in the theater. He’s a big, huge Spielberg fan. And like, he’s a cinephile,” Tatum recalled.

Channing Tatum also added that Manchester admitted what he did was “wrong,” but he also believed the length of his sentence was not “fair.” These details provided context for how Tatum approached the performance and how closely the film connects to real life.

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Channing Tatum’s preparation, the film’s basis, and audience response

While speaking to CBC at TIFF, Channing Tatum revealed that he prepared for his role in Roofman by speaking often with Jeffrey Manchester. He said he took calls from a maximum‑security prison and even answered one while speaking with his daughter’s teacher.

“I talk to him a lot from prison, and we talked many times. I don’t get to call him. He has to call me, and we only get 15 minutes at a time,” Tatum described.

Tatum implied that Manchester was warm and charismatic during their calls, and these conversations gave him direct insight into the man he was portraying.

“When he gets out of prison, he wants to work in movies. He’s like, maybe I’ll get a job on a movie set somewhere,” Tatum revealed Manchester’s wishes.

Channing Tatum attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party (Image via Getty)

Channing Tatum also shared his impression of Jeffrey Manchester.

“He’s just a lovely person. He understands what he did was wrong. He just didn’t believe that 45 years was a fair sentence, in a way. And I kind of agree with him, but what he did was wrong. So, yeah, that’s what it is,” the actor said.

He noted that Manchester would talk at length about films, which helped shape the actor’s approach to the role. The film itself is rooted in fact. Manchester robbed McDonald’s by entering through the rooftops and hiding inside a Toys “R” Us for months.

Channing Tatum also spoke about how audiences might respond to the film. It showed a side of the man not defined only by his crimes but also by his passion for film. These elements helped Tatum frame the portrayal and offered viewers a fuller picture of the real story.

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