The “suffocating” 2014 acting experience Channing Tatum never wants to repeat: “It was confusing”
Channing Tatum described making the 2014 film *Foxcatcher* as a “suffocating” experience that left him confused about how to approach the role. The film’s unsettling story and his close involvement with the real Mark Schultz made the work emotionally difficult, offering a stark contrast to Tatum’s more light-hearted screen roles.
Tatum played Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz alongside Mark Ruffalo as his brother Dave and Steve Carell as billionaire John du Pont. He spent time with Schultz, who visited the set and shared memories and advice, though his presence could complicate scenes. The film is based on the brothers’ stay at du Pont’s Pennsylvania training camp; du Pont later murdered Dave in 1996. Tatum also trained for the physically demanding wrestling role and said he never wanted to wrestle again.
- Tatum called making *Foxcatcher* a suffocating experience.
- The real Mark Schultz’s presence on set was both helpful and complicated.
- Tatum trained as a wrestler and said he never wanted to wrestle again.
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Foxcatcher is a 2014 drama based on the lives of Olympic wrestlers Mark Schultz and his older brother, Dave. Channing Tatum played Mark, with Mark Ruffalo as Dave and Steve Carell as wealthy wrestling sponsor John du Pont.
The brothers trained at du Pont’s Pennsylvania estate, where he set up a camp for wrestlers. In 1996, du Pont murdered Dave Schultz, a crime that gives the film’s story a tragic context.
Tatum prepared by training in wrestling and spent time with Mark Schultz, who visited the set and shared his experiences. The role brought him into close contact with a real person whose life the film portrayed, alongside demanding physical work.