Channing Tatum's Wild Supermax Call: Filming 'Roofman' with a Convict

EXCLUSIVE: Channing Tatum's Craziest Prep for Role in Roofman - He Answered Calls from a Supermax Prison!

Hollywood heartthrob Channing Tatum has just revealed the most jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, and downright bizarre lengths he went to prepare for his latest role in Roofman. The actor, known for his chiseled abs and charming smile, immersed himself so deeply into the character of convicted robber Jeffrey Manchester that he even paused a conversation with his 12-year-old daughter Everly's teacher to answer a call from a super-maximum security prison!

Tatum, 45, confessed to People magazine during the Toronto International Film Festival over the weekend that he spent hours on the phone with Manchester, who is serving a 40-year sentence at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina. The two men spoke about four times a week for four years, and their conversations were so intense that Tatum described it as "a wild thing" when you can't call someone, but they call you from a supermax prison.

"I was talking to my daughter's teacher one time, and literally Jeffrey Manchester is calling, and you're just like, 'One second, prison's calling,'" Tatum recalled, chuckling. "And then you just go have this 15-minute conversation and then that's it. He's gone, and you don't know when he's going to call back or what time."

The extent of Tatum's dedication to the role is nothing short of remarkable. He not only took calls from Manchester but also delved into his backstory, speaking with police officers who arrested him and even visiting the notorious toy store where Manchester hid out for six months.

"I was trying to get inside his head," Tatum explained. "And the more I heard his story, the more I just couldn't believe it was actually real."

Manchester's tale is a wild one - he robbed 45 McDonald's restaurants and famously hid out inside a Toys 'R' Us. But what makes it even more fascinating is the twist: Manchester fell in love with a divorced mom (played by Kirsten Dunst) during his six-month stretch in the toy store.

The official synopsis of Roofman reads like a cat-and-mouse thriller, as Manchester's past finally catches up to him. Tatum's preparation for the role was so meticulous that he even drew on his own experiences as a father while filming the movie's most emotional scenes.

"I remember the first time my daughter rode a bike and I was pushing her on the bike," Tatum recalled, getting choked up. "And I couldn't imagine watching... I mean, I did imagine watching my daughter and not being able to go have that moment with her. It just crushed me. Absolutely crushed me."

Tatum's dedication to his craft is admirable, but his personal life has also been making headlines lately. The father-of-one admitted to Variety earlier this week that his 50/50 custody arrangement can be challenging.

"It's really tough not to have your daughter half the time," he confessed. "I wish I could just have her all the time."

Kirsten Dunst, who plays Manchester's love interest in the movie, couldn't help but tease Tatum about his role preparation during an interview with The Scholarly Note earlier this week.

"I wonder why you were cast," she joked, smiling mischievously.

Tatum laughed it off, but one thing is certain: he brought a level of authenticity to his role that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. And who knows? Maybe one day he'll even get to meet Manchester in person - after all, the actor hopes to visit him when he gets out of prison.

For now, fans can catch Tatum as Jeffrey Manchester in Roofman, a movie that promises to be an unforgettable thrill ride.