Thandiwe Newton has reportedly been fired from the latest ‘Magic Mike’ movie following a series of heated rows with Channing Tatum, who is both the lead actor as well as a producer on the film. The pair got into ‘unimaginably vicious’ arguments related to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.
Thandiwe had already earned a reputation as a ‘diva’ on set prior to the brush-up with Channing, according to one member of the film crew. The duo had been engaging in “astonishing” disagreements that had only escalated as the days went on. ‘Channing Tatum is the producer and number one on set.
Thandiwe Newton Axed From ‘Magic Mike’ Sequel After Fight With Channing Tatum Over Will Smith’s Oscars Slap
Thandiwe Newton is the number two star. They fell out over the debacle at the Oscars. I was on set. I watched her and watched him. They were in and out of the house where we were filming having this confrontation, alleged a member of the crew.
‘It was a tense exchange of words, but suddenly it escalated. Channing got into this car and he disappeared. After the row he just went, ‘I am not working with her anymore.’ Him being a producer, it’s his movie, so she’s off the movie,” said the source.
The source also credited the film’s director, Steven Soderbergh, for attempting to reduce the tension between Tatum and Newton but his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
It is unclear where Tatum and Newton stood regarding Smith’s violent display at the Academy Awards, but Thandiwe starred alongside Will in the 2006 film ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ so it’s safe to assume that she is standing with him.
‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ had already been filming for eleven days before Newton got the boot, creating the very expensive problem of having to reshoot all scenes with a new leading lady. In a bid to keep the film on schedule, the producers have already recast the role which has been given to Salma Hayek.
A spokesperson for Thandiwe Newton claimed that reports of why the actress left the film are “completely inaccurate” and a spokesperson for the movie studio insisted that ‘Thandiwe Newton has made the difficult decision to step away from the production of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Magic Mike’s Last Dance to deal with family matters.’
“Magic Mike’s Last Dance” is the third installment of the film series, following 2012’s “Magic Mike” and 2015’s “Magic Mike XXL”. The ‘Magic Mike’ movies have proven to be immensely popular with the first two films grossing close to $300 million at the box office.
