Ashleigh Hill-Buxton
That Steve Carell flick where he’s playing John du Pont, the eccentric all-round nutball and paranoid schizophrenic, has got to be one of the most exciting projects being discussed in tinseltown right now. From Bennett Miller (“Capote”, “Moneyball”), “Foxcatcher” has the funnyman playing totally against type as a man who, aside from being the heir to the du Pont chemical fortune, shot and killed Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz in 1996 at a Pennsylvania facility du Pont had built. Engrossing true story. Sounds like it’s going to be a career turner for Carell, and a darn fine movie – particuarly with Miller helming.
24 Frames reports today that Channing Tatum is the guy being courted to play Schultz, the victim. Like Carell, a brave but welcome step-up – if you’ll excuse the pun – for “G.I Joe” star Tatum.
He might have his chance. The “G.I. Joe” and “Step Up” star is in talks to star alongside Steve Carell in Miller’s next film, the John du Pont story “Foxcatcher,” said two studio executives who’d been briefed on the project but asked not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to talk about it publicly.
Tatum would play Schultz, a seven-time world and Olympic champion who left behind a wife and two young children when he was fatally shot at the age of 36. The role is in a sense a more prestige spin on physical-centric parts Tatum has been known for in movies such as “Fighting” and “The Eagle.” (Tatum is next set to star in the exotic-dancing tale “Magic Mike,” based on his own background, as well as the reboot of undercover-cop TV series “21 Jump Street.”)The “Foxcatcher” situation was described by the executives as being in the talks stage, with no deal in place. Tatum’s representative and a producer on the film did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Do you think Carell is going to work in the drama? Can he pull it off?
