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After proving he can hold his own in a romantic drama and comedy, Channing Tatum is looking to get back to his action-hero roots: The “21 Jump Street” star is in advanced talks to top Sony’s “White House Down.”
Roland Emmerich will direct from a script by James Vanderbilt. The film is described as “Die Hard” in the White House and follows a Secret Service agent who must save the president.
Sony had no comment on the casting.
Emmerich, Vanderbilt, Harald Kloser, Bradley Fischer and Laeta Kalogridis are producing through Mythology Entertainment. Reid Carolin, Tatum’s producing partner at their Iron Horse Entertainment banner, will serve as an exec producer.
Production is expected to start in late summer. The film has been on the fast track ever since Sony paid $3 million to acquire the spec, beating out Paramount.
Sony’s next objective is to cast the U.S. president and the head of the Secret Service for the pic, though no offers have been tendered at this time.
Sony is widely known for staying in business and building long relationships with actors such as Will Smith and Adam Sandler; with all the business Tatum has driven for the studio this year, it makes sense to continue that relationship. Studio has currently grossed the most money domestically at the box office this year with $518.1 million, including Tatum’s “The Vow” and “21 Jump Street.”
With Joe Roth, Tatum and Iron Horse are also producing “Neverland,” a new take on the Peter Pan story, at Sony, with Gavin O’Connor in talks to direct.
The UTA and Management 360-repped Tatum can be seen next in Warner Bros.’ “Magic Mike” and is currently shooting “The Bitter Pill.”
