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Key Points

Channing Tatum recently opened up about why he turned down the lead role in 'Blue Valentine' that eventually went to Ryan Gosling. The actor confessed he was "absolutely terrified" of the intense emotional requirements of the part. Tatum explained he hadn't experienced that type of relationship at that point in his life and lacked the confidence to take on such demanding material. Despite his regret, he acknowledges that Gosling ultimately "killed" the performance and the role wasn't spiritually meant for him.

Key Points: Channing Tatum Regrets Turning Down Blue Valentine Role to Ryan Gosling

  • Tatum turned down the role due to fear and lack of confidence in his early career
  • Director Derek Cianfrance believed in Tatum after seeing his performance in 'A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints'
  • Tatum admits he blocked out the memory and now regrets not taking the intense role
  • He acknowledges Ryan Gosling was perfect for the part that required deep emotional experience
3 min read

I was just scared: Channing Tatum on why he turned down Ryan Gosling's part in 'Blue Valentine'

Channing Tatum reveals he was "absolutely terrified" and turned down the lead in 'Blue Valentine' due to fear and lack of life experience, a role Ryan Gosling later perfected.

"I was just scared. I was absolutely terrified of that role specifically, and I didn't go. - Channing Tatum"

Washington DC, September 9

Actor and film producer Channing Tatum recalled why he turned down a role in Derek Cianfrance's 2010 drama 'Blue Valentine', reported People.

"As I was just reminded, it was about 20 years ago that I did kind of one of my first real, I guess, acting roles, and Derek saw it and, and he believed in me, I think way before I ever believed in myself," said Tatum while accepting the Toronto International Film Festival Tribute Performer Award at the TIFF Tribute Awards, as per the outlet.

"And that was why I think I couldn't go on that journey. I just ... I was just scared," he added, "I was absolutely terrified of that role specifically, and I didn't go."

After looking at Tatum's performance in the 2006 drama 'A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints', Cianfrance thought of casting him in his film. "He's got this physicality -- this body that can tell stories," said the director about the actor.

Tatum added, "I think I blocked it out because I probably, on some level, regret it," he said. Looking "back on that moment. I was scared of it, because I hadn't really lived it."

'Blue Valentine' is the "story of a married couple -- Dean and Cindy -- that unravels throughout the course of the movie, which is told in a nonlinear fashion," according to People.

Tatum revealed that another reason why he turned down the intense role was because he "hadn't been in a relationship like that at that time."

"I didn't think I could do it. I was just starting to act," he said, adding that as he and Cianfrance began working together on Roofman, the director "reminded me of that."

"I was like, 'Yeah, I know.' I definitely ... I wish I would have done it. But I think Ryan killed that," added Tatum. "So I don't spiritually think that one was mine."

'Roofman' stars Tatum as real-life convict Jeffrey Manchester, who became notorious for robbing 45 McDonald's restaurants and once evaded capture by secretly living in a Toys "R" Us store. It follows Manchester's six-month stint hiding inside the store, including his falling in love with a divorced mom (Kirsten Dunst), according to People.

'Roofman' is in theatres on October 10.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Ryan Gosling was absolutely brilliant in Blue Valentine though! Sometimes the right person gets the role at the right time. Everything happens for a reason.
A
Ananya R
I respect his self-awareness. Knowing your limitations as an actor is better than taking on something you can't do justice to. Hollywood could learn from this approach.
V
Vikram M
Interesting how he says he hadn't "lived" that kind of relationship. Method acting requires some life experience. Maybe Indian actors should think more about this too.
S
Sarah B
As someone who's seen both actors' work, I think Channing made the right call. Ryan brought a vulnerability to that role that was just perfect for the character.
K
Karthik V
The Roofman movie sounds interesting though! 45 McDonald's robberies? That's some dedication to fast food cravings 😂 Looking forward to watching it in October.

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