Actor Channing Tatum recently revealed that one of his most significant career regrets was declining the chance to work on Guillermo del Toro’s version of Beauty and the Beast. Despite eventually fulfilling a long-held wish by portraying Gambit in Marvel’s Deadpool and Wolverine, Tatum said turning down del Toro’s project remains a major disappointment in his career.
Tatum Explains Personal Reasons Behind Passing on the Film
During an interview with Vanity Fair, Tatum detailed his decision to step away from the film, citing a combination of personal and professional challenges at the time.
“I’d just had a baby, I was on a movie that was absolutely killing me, and the script wasn’t totally there yet. I was just in a place in my head that I was like, ‘I don’t think I can do this right now,’”
he said. This reflection highlights how the demanding circumstances and the need for the right script quality influenced his choice.
Guillermo del Toro’s Vision and the Project’s Fate
Though the exact role Tatum would have played is unclear, it is widely presumed he was considered for the role of The Beast, the cursed prince at the film’s center. Del Toro’s Beauty and the Beast was initially announced in 2012 as a Disney live-action project, promising a unique take under the visionary helmer’s direction.
However, by 2014, del Toro left the project due to other commitments and creative differences. The film was eventually directed by Bill Condon, featuring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. This version achieved both commercial and critical success, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide and earning a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a respectable score for contemporary Disney remakes.
Tatum’s Admiration for Del Toro and Hope for Future Collaboration
Reflecting on del Toro’s departure and his own missed opportunity, Tatum expressed his high regard for the filmmaker:
“One of the biggest mistakes of my career: Guillermo del Toro wanted to do Beauty and the Beast, his version of the Beast,”
he said.
“It was the biggest mistake, because I’m the biggest Guillermo fan ever. And I think Guillermo doing Beauty and the Beast would’ve been the sickest movie ever.”
On del Toro stepping away, Tatum added,
“He didn’t do it. He’s got a billion other things that he wants to do. He’s such a creator. I’ll probably never forgive myself on that one, but I hope we get to work together one day.”
Significance of the Missed Opportunity and Future Prospects
Channing Tatum’s regret highlights how timing and personal circumstances can dramatically affect an actor’s career trajectory, even when faced with potentially iconic roles. While Tatum ultimately took on notable parts like Gambit in the Marvel universe, his comments suggest a lasting wish to collaborate with del Toro in the future. The discussion also underlines del Toro’s lasting reputation as a visionary director whose projects generate considerable anticipation, even when they do not come to fruition.
