Channing Tatum has reportedly pulled out of a deal with The Weinstein Company to develop a book about sexual abuse into a movie.
In an Instagram post Wednesday, Tatum explained he and producing partner Reid Carolin had signed on to Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock—a story about a high school student “whose life was torn asunder by sexual abuse”—prior to executive Harvey Weinstein’s widespread outing as a serial harasser. In light of the recent allegations, Tatum says he’s unable to move forward with the project in good conscience, both out of respect for his colleagues in the industry and the novel’s author, Matthew Quick.
“While we will no longer develop it or anything else that is property of TWC, we are reminded of its powerful message of healing in the wake of tragedy,” Tatum wrote. “This is a giant opportunity for real positive change that we proudly commit ourselves to. The truth is out—let’s finish what our incredible colleagues started and eliminate abuse from our creative culture once and for all.”
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The movie reportedly would have been Tatum’s co-directorial debut, and he was also in talks to star.