Chris Hemsworth Replaces Channing Tatum in Gangster Epic Channeling Goodfellas and Scarface
Chris Hemsworth dives into the underworld, stepping in for Channing Tatum on Kockroach, a gritty crime saga billed in the vein of Goodfellas and Scarface, after Tatum exited due to scheduling conflicts.
Chris Hemsworth just slid into a gritty crime flick that Channing Tatum had to vacate. The movie’s called 'Kockroach' — yes, that is the title — and it aims for that larger-than-life underworld swagger you associate with 'Goodfellas' and 'Scarface.' The bar is not low.
The switch-up
Tatum was set to lead but stepped away because of scheduling. Hemsworth is now taking over the role. Cameras are expected to roll in April, with no release date on the books yet.
What is 'Kockroach'?
'Kockroach is the story of a mysterious stranger who takes on New York’s criminal underworld, transforming himself into a larger-than-life crime boss in a city where power is everything.'
It’s adapted from a novel by William Lashner. The vibe is ambitious, the title is memorable, and the setup is straight-up mythmaking-in-the-mob.
Who’s making it
- Director: Matt Ross, returning to the chair after '28 Hotel Rooms' (2012) and 'Captain Fantastic' (2016).
- Screenplay: Jonathan Ames, with revisions by Ross.
- Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton ('Kingsman,' 'Rocketman'), Zazie Beetz ('Deadpool 2,' 'Bullet Train').
- Producers: Christina Weiss Lurie and Andrew Lazar.
- Matt Ross’s acting resume, if you’re connecting faces: '12 Monkeys' (1995), 'Face/Off' (1997), 'American Psycho' (2000), 'The Aviator' (2004), 'Last Holiday' (2006), and more.
Meanwhile, on the Hemsworth docket
Hemsworth also has 'Crime 101' on deck, a separate crime thriller based on Don Winslow’s 2020 novella. It’s positioned as an Amazon MGM Studios release and is said to co-star Mark Ruffalo and Halle Berry, with a rollout pegged for next week. As always with dates this close, keep an eye out for last-minute shuffles.
The superhero wrinkle
There’s chatter that both Hemsworth and Tatum will resurface in a project titled 'Avengers: Doomsday' — Hemsworth as Thor (no surprise) and Tatum as Gambit (a curveball) — with talk of a December release and post-production already under way. None of that is officially confirmed, so file it under wait-and-see. As for 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' whether either shows up is still a question mark, though Hemsworth has teased that Thor could factor in.