In Derek Cianfrance’s latest film Roofman, Channing Tatum portrays Jeffrey Manchester, a U.S. Reserve officer who becomes an escaped convict known for breaking into fast food restaurants by cutting roof holes. His unique hideout is a ToysR Us store, where he lives undetected for months. The most memorable moment arrives when Jeffrey returns to the store after showering in the bathroom sinks—while completely naked—and unexpectedly crosses paths with the manager, Mitch, played by Peter Dinklage. The actor’s initial meeting with Tatum was itself unusual, as Dinklage was introduced to Tatum while the latter was already nude on set. This striking moment set the tone for the film’s intensity and authenticity, especially centered on the Peter Dinklage Roofman scene.
Director Derek Cianfrance explained to Entertainment Weekly how he prepared Dinklage for this encounter.
“I was like, ‘Well, Channing’s naked, and you’re going to have to see him naked. Are you okay with that?’”
Dinklage was comfortable with the setup, and the scene was filmed exactly as planned. Cianfrance also commented,
“The first time Peter ever saw Channing Tatum in real life, it was the full Monty. That’s how they were introduced to each other,”
adding,
“I think they have a bond now. I think their bond is forged in fire.”
Channing Tatum took the situation with humor and respect, greeting Dinklage warmly before filming began.
“I’m like, ‘Hello, Mr. Dinklage. I’m Channing. We’re going to have an experience today,’”
Tatum said, further expressing admiration,
“He’s such a man. He is a legend. He’s an absolute legend.”
Distinctive Production Choices on the Roofman Set
Derek Cianfrance is known for pushing his actors beyond the ordinary to deepen character immersion, a method familiar from his previous work on Blue Valentine. For Roofman, he took remarkable steps to recreate a toys store from the 2000s era, even constructing a fully functional version of ToysR Us for the shoot. Production designer Inbal Weinberg meticulously sourced authentic toys from that period to enhance realism. This authenticity brought out genuine excitement in Channing Tatum, who reacted much like a child discovering a real toy store.
Reflecting on this immersive environment, Cianfrance said,
“It’s a lot of fun to see Channing Tatum set loose in a toy store.”
The film’s setting supports a story deeply rooted in human connection, focusing on Jeffrey observing Leigh, a store employee, through security cameras. To make Leigh’s character more believable, Peter Dinklage conducted a genuine, intense job interview with Kirsten Dunst, who plays Leigh, staying fully in character throughout the process.
In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Dunst shared,
“He would not give me an inch in that interview. I respect him so much as an actor, I think I was also just intimidated by him as well.”
Building Chemistry Between Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst
In the film, Jeffrey begins to form a romantic bond with Leigh after stealing toys for a charity event at her church. Although initially unaware of Jeffrey’s true identity as an escaped convict living in her workplace, Leigh falls for him. Unlike Dinklage’s unexpected first interaction with Tatum, the lead actors approached their connection differently. To preserve the spontaneity of their first romantic encounter, Tatum and Dunst deliberately avoided meeting before shooting their initial scene together, allowing their chemistry to develop naturally on camera.
Channing Tatum admitted this approach helped:
“We both felt that it felt right, because [Jeffrey] wanted [Leigh] to like [him]. And I also just wanted Kirsten just to like me,”
he told Vanity Fair. Dunst was straightforward about her preference for action over discussion, saying,
“I don’t like when people want to talk about things for a very long time. I’m like, ‘Let’s just do it.’”
Cianfrance, who writes and directs his films, values collaboration on set, which Dunst appreciated. She explained,
“I knew in Derek’s hands it would feel authentic, and he kept all our little improv things,”
highlighting the trust actors had in his vision.
The Significance of These Choices and What Lies Ahead
The striking introduction between Peter Dinklage and Channing Tatum, especially during the Peter Dinklage Roofman scene, highlights the film’s commitment to honest, raw performances created through unorthodox means. Cianfrance’s dedication to authenticity, demonstrated by building an entire functional ToysR Us and staging immersive character interactions, strengthens the emotional core of Roofman. Actors’ willingness to embrace vulnerability, such as Tatum’s nudity and Dinklage’s demanding interviews, builds deep connections that translate into compelling on-screen relationships.
As the film prepares for release, audiences can anticipate a story that blends intense character studies with unique settings, exploring themes of identity, connection, and survival in unexpected places. The foundation laid by these bold creative choices promises a cinematic experience filled with tension, humanity, and heartfelt moments.
