Channing Tatum‘s new movie, Roofman, is based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, the man who escaped from prison and lived in a Toys ‘ R ‘ Us for several months. Tatum, who plays Manchester, revealed the details in an interview with NBC’s Today on Monday.
The 45-year-old actor said he was in shock when he first read the script and realized that the film is based on a true story.
What did Channing Tatum learn when he spoke to Jeffrey Manchester?
Before shooting the film, Tatum said he spoke with Manchester, who is now being held at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina, as he continues to serve time for robbery, as well as kidnapping and other counts.
“I had all these lists of questions and things that I wanted to know,” Tatum told Today. “And as soon as you get on the phone with him, he’s just the most warm. I mean, he spent nine years in solitary confinement … but you talk to this guy, and he like, kind of takes care of you on the phone. He really does. He’s optimistic, he has all these dreams and plans when he gets out.”
Tatum also recalled a line from director Derek Cianfrance, who said, “If this was a fiction, we’d be the worst screenwriters on the face of the Earth.”
After reading the script, Tatum said he was still thinking, “this can’t all be true.”
What happened to Jeffrey Manchester?
According to the Charlotte Observer, Manchester first robbed a McDonald’s in May 2000. As he threatened the employees with a .22 caliber rifle, Manchester apologized for what he was doing at the restaurant in Belmont, North Carolina.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’re the good people,” Manchester told the employees, per the Observer. “I’m the bad guy. I’m sorry for doing this to you.”
Manchester also robbed another McDonald’s in Gastonia, North Carolina, on the night before and took more than $8,000 in cash. The employees, who were locked in a freezer at that store, eventually escaped and called the police.
Manchester, who was recently divorced at that time, told police he robbed the McDonald’s “to pay bills and buy things for my kids.”
“I will do everything I can do to fix the situation. I still have a lot to give the community and the Army,” he told police. “I thought it was going to be quick cash, and I ended up scaring people and wasted the police’s time as well, and I am sorry for that.”
Police determined that Manchester also committed more than 40 other robberies across multiple states. The North Carolina man faced a 35-year sentence as he was charged for robbery with a dangerous weapon, as well as breaking and entering and several counts of kidnapping.
After serving four years, Manchester escaped and lived in a Toys-R-Us for months, hiding behind a fake wall he created in the store. When an employee eventually found Manchester’s hiding spot, the escaped prisoner moved to another part of the store.
Manchester also came out of his hiding spot occasionally to attend church. While disguising himself as a person named John Zorn at the church, Manchester met Leigh Wainscott, a woman who was separated from her husband. As he continued to date Wainscott, Manchester robbed the Toys ‘ R ‘ Us where he was hiding.
Police then started to investigate the robberies and found a secret tunnel in the Toys-R-Us that led to an abandoned Circuit City next door. When they determined that the fingerprints in the store match Manchester, police released his mug shot. Wainscott, who saw the mugshot at Crossroads Church, realized that she was dating an escaped convict. She then allowed the police to take Manchester during one of their dates.
When will Jeffrey Manchester be released from prison?
Manchester is now serving the remainder of his 35-year sentence. He is set to be released in 2036. Roofman is now in theaters.