Channing Tatum Is Making His Directorial Debut with ‘Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock’

Acting, writing, producing, dancing, parenting, stripping, and now directing—Channing Tatum does everything. He’s like the living male version of a Barbie. Maybe he’ll go to space and become a veterinarian next. But first things first: Tatum has set his first directing project with producing and writing partner Reid Carolin, based on the YA novel ‘Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock’ by ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ author Matthew Quick.

If we can believe that any part of ‘Magic Mike’ was truly autobiographical (aside from all the stripping), it’s Tatum’s ambition and drive: in addition to producing and co-writing the sequel with Carolin, he’s about to add director to his resume. THR reports that Tatum and Carolin will co-direct an adaptation of Quick’s dark YA novel, which focuses on a teen boy who plans to kill his best friend and himself. Tatum may also star in the film, although his potential role is unclear.

The project has been in development for some time now, with ‘The Spectacular Now’ director James Ponsoldt previously attached. But with Tatum’s surprising and captivating dark turn in the upcoming ‘Foxcatcher,’ and his increasing involvement behind the scenes, tackling ‘Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock’ seems like it could potentially be the next great step.

And it’s not the only novel of Quick’s being adapted following the success of ‘Silver Linings Playbook’: ‘Enlightened’ creator Mike White is adapting the upcoming Quick novel ‘Love May Fail,’ with Sam Raimi directing, and the ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris taking on ‘The Good Luck of Right Now.’