The first-look image for Magic Mike's Last Dance reveals Salma Hayek and Channing Tatum in a steamy setting. The 2012 film Magic Mike, based on title star Tatum's real-life experiences as a male stripper, launched a successful franchise for Warner Bros. Magic Mike XXL followed in 2015 and was seen as the final installment in the series for a few years, though the Magic Mike legacy lived on through a touring cabaret show and HBO Max dance contest show, Finding Magic Mike. Last year, Warner Bros. announced Magic Mike's Last Dance as an HBO Max original, which was switched to a theatrical release last month.
Tatum and franchise director Steven Soderbergh have teased a few details about the film, leaving much to the imagination. In particular, the character played by Salma Hayek (originally Thandiwe Newton) has been the source of speculation due to Soderbergh clarifying that the film will see Mike in a relationship and Tatum stating that audiences will see his character engage in an intimate one-on-one lap dance for the first time. Now, a first-look photo from the film offers more insight into Hayek's role in the film.
Tatum posted the photo, which depicts Hayek and Tatum in a sensual scene as she touches his abs, via Instagram. The first-look picture possibly confirms that Hayek will indeed be the receiver of Mike's first on-screen one-on-one lap dance, though her closed eyes and the at-home setting of the snap are intriguing details that seemingly complicate this idea. Tatum's cryptic caption opens up more questions about the pair's relationship in the film, though the photo does confirm that they will share great chemistry. See the post above.
Everything We Know About Magic Mike's Last Dance
Magic Mike’s Last Dance will be helmed once again by franchise director Soderbergh as well as starring Tatum as Mike, a male stripper who aspires to own his own business. Tatum has described Magic Mike's Last Dance as "a reverse-role Pretty Woman story that ends up with a lot of dancing in it." Based on the recently released photo, it seems likely that Hayek will be the Richard Gere to Tatum's Julia Roberts. After the success of the first two films was partly attributed to the extended male dance sequences, Tatum's comments have made it clear that Magic Mike’s Last Dance will not disappoint in that realm, teasing plenty more dancing and even a 'splash zone' for a water dance sequence.
Mike's journey in the Magic Mike franchise has involved a surprising undercurrent of maturity, and Magic Mike's Last Dance will see him enter a new stage in his life. As Tatum's final appearance as the titular stripper, the film is sure to send him off with a bang. Since being announced as a theatrical rather than streaming release, Magic Mike's Last Dance has been slated for a February 10, 2023 premiere, moving away from the June releases of the previous two movies and cementing itself as an early Valentine's weekend date night movie.
Source: Channing Tatum/Instagram