EXCLUSIVE: While several studios are in the mix on the Steven Soderbergh-directed Magic Mike, I’m told that Warner Bros has emerged as the frontrunner to acquire domestic distribution rights and that a deal could be done by next week. The film, which is wrapping this week, stars Alex Pettyfer and Channing Tatum in a Saturday Night Fever-type coming-of-age drama about a young exotic dancer who is schooled by a veteran of the trade. The picture’s budget was ponied up by Soderbergh and Tatum, with Glen Basner at FilmNation making offshore sales. Script was written by Reid Carolin. He’s Tatum’s production partner and they are producing the film with Nick Wechsler and Gregory Jacobs.
The film’s based on Tatum’s own experiences when he became an exotic dancer before breaking into acting. The film has drawn an ab-centric cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello. Warner Bros seems a good fit for the material. The studio just distributed Soderbergh’s hit Contagion, and Warner Bros will make his next film, The Man From UNCLE, which is in the process of getting a new title character after George Clooney exited the project because he’s having some surgery.
Contagion was a hit? It barely made it’s budget. Must be more of that Hollywood accounting.
You mean the P&A budget…in no way did this film begin to cover its’ production budget domestically. Foreign will help, but its still a long road.
This film may have done ‘well’, just not well enough to pay for itself. Same story for 90% of films released…theatrical is the ‘loss leader’.
Truthteller, thank you for contentiously agreeing with my point that it is a complete misnomer to call Contagion a “hit.”
That tedious tripe was a “hit” like Pat Boone is funky.
This movie is going to bomb. No straight male will go to see this. They better hope that females come out in full force.
Straight men weren’t crazy about “Brokeback Mountain” either and you know what? $83 million domestic, biatch!
Leave it to a straight guy to think that any movie that isn’t aimed at hims demographic must be a bomb.
This-here fag will be there on opening day. With bells on.
Women do not only want to watch chick flicks, fyi. We love a little eye candy as much as the men do.
I hear ya buddy. It’s gonna bomb just like Sex and the City did.
I am a gay man and oh my this will be the best movie ever!
Agreed! I can’t WAIT for this one. Soderbergh and miles of eye candy is a winning combo!
Magic Mike? Shit and here I was thinking this movie will be abaout a headless chicken with its own stage show and now what.
As a straight man, this seems like a ridiculous film. The fraction of our society that is gay will probably like it, however. Unfortunately, that’s not going to make a dent at the B.O.
Well considering there 300 mill Americans and it’s estimated about 3.5 are gay, that would mean about 10 million gays. If a quarter of them go see the film that’s about $25 million. Plus, since it’s not really a “gay” film but more ladies night out film you can factor in females 18-35 as well as the cineastes who recognize Steven Soderbergh.
Will it make Transformers money? No. Will it make back it’s budget and P&A? Yes. Will it make more than Broke Back Mountain? Perhaps.
Us women see thin, perfect women naked in the movies all the time – it’s time for men to endure the same. I’m brining my straight boyfriend
if you’re “bringing” him, then he’s not straight.
I think you should bring your gay boyfriend.
also stars cody horn (daughter of alan horn)…
A “straight man named Julie”? I’m not buying that for a second. The entire cast and director have huge fan bases- the only place this flick won’t make money are those places that think the remake of Footloose is scandalous.
the only place that this will make money are those places that think the remake of Footloose is a good movie… unfortunately those places only exist in executives dreams.
Alex Pettyfer shirtless? He may be a jerk but he’s lovely to look at.
I’m not sure when Hollywood will finally get it that we aren’t just interested in chick flicky romantic comedies and tearjerkers.
“Straight” young men obsessed with their own washboard abs and everybody else’s will be out in droves to see this. Do you think they won’t be interested in a dramatic valentine to the low carb diet? Sounds like a non-C.G.I. “300″ at a strip mall near you. Could be a contemporary “Saturday Night Fever.” I wouldn’t bother second-guessing Soderbergh’s instincts. The “laddie” magazines are wafer thin. “Men’s Health” which publishes an article EVERY FREAKING MONTH about how to get your abs in quarter-bounce shape – as well as special issues on the subject – is prospering. They’ll pretend they don’t want to go until their wives and girlfriends insist. There’s a whole generation out there that was weaned on Abercrombie homo-erotica who aren’t necessarily homo. Types I as I reach into yet another alarmingly emptying bag of Doritos…
Straight guys will act resistant but eventually check it out. It’s been proven in university science labs that hetero males and gay males alike check out male crotches. Men are visual creatures and like to check out the competition. I love that Soderbergh is making a male Showgirls. It’s balls out and bold.
That’s a lot of abs.
I will NOT pay one cent to see this film. I have ZERO intrest.
I live in Vegas, My GF’s go to the male strip/dance shows once a month for fun.
I go to Golds Gym 3/4 times a week. I see it all there… and still don’t care. This type of thing does NOT, turn me on.
Now, a well groomed/dressed man in Armani or Hugo Boss, is what I like to see. You can tell if that man is rockin a hard body underneath those clothes. That’s HOT….. and it doesn’t cost a thing.
Gay men will go see this and some women. This will be the male version of Showgirls and it will bomb.
Some women? Oh honey you don’t know much about women to you? A LOT of women will go see this. This is a get the girlfriends together evening out. Plus it’s a comedy, so if it’s sold right there will be more than a few straight men in the audience!
I will go see it with all my girl friends. We already plan on going to see this on opening night. Trust me I do not think it will bomb at all. It will be a huge successes. Already people are talking about it everywhere.
Bombs away!
What is it with straight men being so bitchy about this movie?? I thought women were the snidey bitchy ones?
And what is it with some weird women making sweeping statements that we wont want to watch this? Eh? Hello? I wonder is she is this vocal as the tedious daily objectification of women….
I wonder ‘if’ she is this vocal ‘at’ the..
Pro….Con….You’ve already made the point for why the movie is a good buy, hate it – love it ; you’re ALL TALKING ABOUT IT….
might have to go see it to be in on the conversation.
Truth it did. Check boxofficemojo.
This could make money. Apparently the budget is modest (abs are cheap) and it has international appeal (abs are popular).
Reminiscent of Saturday Night Fever?? More like Boogie Nights – and for that I’m am really way too excited to see this. Very glad that Soderbergh’s interest in sex-workers extends to both genders – it’s about time women had some man-meat to drool over….
I’ve learn to never doubt Soderbergh’s creative decision making…
Many of you fans of cinema often forget the long term playability of a Soderbergh film. Contagion, The Informant!, The Limey, Che et al don’t make the BIG bucks. But those films will play across multiple platforms for years and years. Those films will always feel fresh, always entertain, and enlighten.
Can’t say the same for most of the movies that have come out in the last five years…