Deadline is reporting that Steven Soderbergh is now eyeing his Magic Mike star, Channing Tatum for the lead role of Napoleon Solo in his next film The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
The project has had some tough times so far. First George Clooney left the role then Soderbergh’s second choice, Matt Damon was unavailable due to other commitments. The director then went to Michael Fassbender and when that didn’t work out, he tried Bradley Cooper, who ended up turning him down.
The whole thing is rather surprising as you would think most actors would be lining up to work with the Oscar winning director, which leads us to believe that the material leaves something to be desired.
No official offer has been made yet, but hopefully if and when one is, Tatum will sign on to the project to give it some momentum, so it doesn’t get shelved.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is due to begin shooting in early 2012, for a late 2012 release.