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Channing Tatum's Southern roots are in the Details

By April MacIntyre Jan 10, 2012, 17:09 GMT

Channing Tatum - Actor Channing Tatum is on the cover of the new February issue of Details. © David Gabber / PR Photos

Actor Channing Tatum is on the cover of the new February issue of Details. 

The Alabama-bred actor’s include comedy (21 Jump Street), action (Haywire), romance (The Vow). He’s also into imbibing good bourbon before popping off a few rounds at a firing range, helping out a stranded stranger, and teaching his dog the life-and fly routine from Dirty Dancing.

This Southern bred Hollywood actor is actually having the time of his life for the cover story of the magazine’s February issue, which features photos by Norman Jean Roy. The issue hits stands nationwide on January 17. 

Some select nuggets were sent from the interview with Channing Tatum are below, and you can read the full interview at Details

On shooting guns with his dad as a child...

CT: “When I was a kid, we lived on the bayou in Mississippi. My dad would throw a beer can into the water and have me shoot at it.  Once, when I was really little, we had this huge double-barrel shot-gun, and when I tried it, it literally blew me off the dock.”

On his past projects and learning process...  

CT: “You gotta do the Dear Johns. You gotta do The Vow. I’m conscious about why I did those parts, those movies. I wanted to learn from Rachel on The Vow. I wanted to learn from Lasse Hallström on Dear John—he did The Cider House Rules and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. I didn’t go to acting school, so my knowledge of story, filmmaking, and character comes from just being on set and doing it. I know I’m not the best actor, but I hope my characters are getting better.”

On his film aspirations...

CT: “I really don’t want to be in anymore movies that I don’t produce. Unless it’s with one of the 10 directors that I really want to work with, I don’t have any interest in not being on the ground floor of creating it. But what I really want to do is direct.”

On his late nights, often until 4 A.M., brainstorming at the office...  

CT: “Jenna’s not always happy when I come home that late, but I’ve just got to get it out.”