Zoë Kravitz Praises Ex Channing Tatum’s ‘Charisma’ in ‘Blink Twice’

Zoë Kravitz continues to reward ex-fiancé Channing Tatum‘s Blink Twice efficiency.

Kravitz, who directed the movie, defined to The Batman director Matt Reeves throughout Selection’s Administrators on Administrators Dec. 18 situation that when casting Tatum, 44, she wished “to weaponize his charisma.”

“Channing was the primary individual I considered for Slater King, and I don’t know the place that got here from,” Kravitz, 36, mentioned of Tatum’s tech billionaire character within the psychological thriller.

Regardless of the previous couple calling off their engagement in October, Kravitz, who met Tatum after casting him because the villainous Slater, stands by her resolution.

“I knew that the character wanted to be anyone who we expect we belief, particularly since you don’t consider Naomi [Ackie] (who performed Frida) is getting on that aircraft if it’s somebody who is instantly insidious,” Kravitz mentioned.

The Large Little Lies actress defined she wished to “weaponize” Tatum’s attraction as a result of audiences have “by no means seen” him in that sort of position.

She informed Deadline in June 2021 that Tatum was her first option to star in her directorial debut.

“[He was the one] I considered after I wrote this character,” she mentioned. “I simply knew from Magic Mike and his stay exhibits, I acquired the sense he is a real feminist and I wished to collaborate with somebody who was clearly enthusiastic about exploring this subject material.”

Previous to the couple’s break up, they joined each other for the movie’s press tour and spoke about working collectively as they continued their relationship. On the Los Angeles premiere of Blink Twice in August, Tatum informed PEOPLE, “To get to create one thing with somebody that you simply love might be one of the gratifying issues.”

“We set to work collectively and undergo laborious issues collectively and assist one another, and it was stunning,” Kravitz added on the premiere.

In a later dialog with PEOPLE, Kravitz mentioned it was “superior” to see Tatum play the unhealthy man. “He was doing such job, and as an actor, I am like, ‘That is scrumptious stuff that he is by no means gotten an opportunity to do,’ ” Kravitz mentioned. “And likewise, he is doing this half as a result of he is an ally. He needs to inform this story.”

The pair sparked romance rumors in August 2021 after they have been first seen collectively out and about in N.Y.C. Then, starting in February 2022, the couple started speaking about one another in interviews. In October 2023, they acquired engaged, however they known as it off a 12 months later as a result of “they realized they’re at totally different phases in life,” a supply informed PEOPLE.

Though Tatum and Kravitz have break up, they’ve one other venture, Alpha Gang, and can proceed to work collectively on the comedy. An insider informed PEOPLE, “They’ll proceed to work collectively and are excited a couple of new venture. They each love filming and creating. Channing has plenty of respect for Zoë’s focus and fervour.”

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Blink Twice is accessible to stream on Prime Video and MGM+.