Alex Pettyfer To Play Stripper Based On Channing Tatum

I Am Number Four star Alex Pettyfer, 21, will play a stripper in Steven Soderberg’s newest film Magic Mike. The character is based on producer and co-star Channing Tatum, who worked as stripper to make ends meet as an 18-year-old struggling actor.

Tatum, who is currently shooting 21 Jump Street, will have the titular role, a friend and mentor to Pettyfer.

Tatum, 31, pitched the idea for the film to Soderberg who said, "I said I wanted in immediately. It's sexy, funny and shocking. We're using Saturday Night Fever as our model, so hopefully we're on the right track."

Pettyfer's star is rising fast. He had a lead role alongside Dianna Agron in sci-fi thriller I Am Number Four earlier this year, and will have two more films out before the end of 2011 Beastly, with Mary-Kate Olsen and Vanessa Hudgens, and Now, with Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy and Justin Timberlake.