What Was The Magic Mike Money Dispute Between Channing Tatum And Jenna Dewan?

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan have reached a divorce settlement six years after their separation. Both have waived spousal support, avoiding a trial that had been scheduled for December.

Tatum, 44, and Dewan, 43, separated in 2018 after nearly nine years of marriage, with Dewan filing for divorce in October of that year. The pair, who met on the set of Step Up in 2006, got engaged in 2008 and married in Malibu in 2009. They share an 11-year-old daughter, Everly, born in 2013.

A significant aspect of the lengthy divorce involved a dispute over profits from the Magic Mike franchise, which originated during their marriage.

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What Was The Magic Mike Money Dispute Between Channing Tatum And Jenna Dewan?

Dewan’s legal team argued that the film was developed while they were together and partially funded with shared marital finances, while Tatum’s attorneys countered that he had always been transparent about his finances and had not denied Dewan her portion of the joint assets.

Tatum is now engaged to Zoë Kravitz, his Blink Twice director, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2021. Dewan, meanwhile, is engaged to Steve Kazee, with whom she shares two more children, Callum, 4, and baby Rhiannon, born in June.

Jenna Dewan’s legal team asserted that she is entitled to a portion of the earnings from the Magic Mike franchise, arguing that it was developed and co-financed by Channing Tatum during their marriage with joint efforts and marital funds.

Both Tatum and Dewan were seeking each other’s testimonies for their divorce trial. Dewan’s lawyers aimed to demonstrate that various spin-off projects were either initiated or at least considered by Tatum while they were still married, according to legal expert Chrobak.

On the other hand, Tatum was disputing that all the franchise’s earnings and intellectual property were acquired during their marriage. He intended to prove that the relevant income and intellectual property rights were obtained after their separation, making them his separate property. To support this, he needed to present witness testimonies and evidence regarding the timeline of when the intellectual property was developed and when the income was earned, which will be crucial to his argument.

Chrobak also notes that, due to the substantial financial stakes involved, both Tatum and Dewan were willing to take the risk of letting a judge decide. Dewan, in particular, may feel that taking the case to court could be worth the risk, as she has little to lose beyond legal fees and a lot to gain if she wins.

The Magic Mike franchise has earned significant revenue, with the first film grossing approximately $167.2 million worldwide, while the latest installment brought in $57.1 million. Additionally, a spin-off reality series aired in 2021, and a popular live show is ongoing in Las Vegas.

In response to Dewan’s filing, Tatum’s lawyers have expressed his disappointment over the continuing dispute, stating that he has made every effort to resolve the matter without resorting to litigation.