Channing Tatum is set to star in the feature film adaptation of his children's book, The One and Only Sparkella. Illustrated by Kim Barnes and published in May 2021, The One and Only Sparkella marked Tatum's first-ever picture book and proved a #1 New York Times bestseller. The story of Sparkella revolves around a father who teaches his daughter, Ella, the importance of being herself after she is excluded at school.
According to Deadline, Tatum will lead the cast of MGM's movie adaptation of The One and Only Sparkella, which is currently in development. The actor has signed on to play the role of Ella's father, while the role of Ella herself is yet to be cast. Ralph Breaks the Internet's Pamela Ribon has been tapped to pen the screenplay for the adaptation. The actor will also produce the film under his production company Free Association, with Michael Parets, Tatum's previous collaborators Peter Kiernan and Reid Carolin, and Cody Carolin hopping on board as co-producers.
The 21 Jump Street actor was most recently seen starring opposite Sandra Bullock in the adventure comedy film The Lost City. He also made his feature film directorial debut alongside Carolin earlier this year with drama Dog. Sparkella, however, was a unique venture for the Magic Mike star as he embarked on uncharted territory as a writer. The sequel to his book, The One and Only Sparkella Makes a Plan, is slated to release later this month, with a third one on the way. This bodes well for the movie adaptation of The One and Only Sparkella, which could add to Tatum's impressively varied filmography and perhaps become a beloved children's franchise of is own.
Source: Deadline