Interesting.
Jennifer Jason Leigh was the first cast member added to THE HATEFUL EIGHT that didn't play a role in the live-read back in April. Now, it looks as if QT will be landing a major star for another, unspecified role: Channing Tatum.
Now, Tatum isn't signed yet, but it seems that most of the remaining live-read cast is confirmed to be returning, including Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Dern, Tim Roth, and Michael Madsen. That leaves one crucial role open for Tatum: former Confederate Chris Mannix, played wonderfully onstage by Walton Goggins.
Now, this hire makes sense from a purely business perspective. Tatum is a massive star, much bigger than Goggins, and his presence alone will get asses in seats for this one. It's also a juicy role, maybe juicier than anything Tatum's ever tackled, and he's going to have long monologues to prove his mettle against the established pros like Dern and Russell.
Still, it's kind of a shame they're going "movie star" for the character of Mannix. I really loved what Goggins did with the role, to the point of singling him out as the biggest surprise when I reviewed the live-read. I'm hoping Tatum will be able to nail that same mix of redneck gruff and good ol' boy positivity that made Goggins' take on the character such a delight.
I guess we'll see how this shakes out, but I'd put money that even if Tatum doesn't sign the dotted line, we'll be seeing a big star playing Chris Mannix come next December. Maybe Goggins can play the stage driver?
THE HATEFUL EIGHT hunker down in December 2015.
