Channing Tatum Is a Charming McDonald’s Robber Living in a Toy Store in First ‘Roofman’ Trailer

Channing Tatum is stepping into a very different kind of role in Roofman, a new crime comedy based on a true story. He plays Jeffrey Manchester, a man who escaped from prison and started robbing McDonald’s restaurants, not by walking in the front door, but by cutting through the roofs.

But that’s not even the wildest part. While on the run, Manchester secretly lived inside a closed Toys “R” Us for months without being caught. He built a hidden space inside the store and used it as a base while planning his next robbery.

The movie, directed by Derek Cianfrance, shows Manchester as more than just a thief. In the trailer, he’s seen being polite to the workers during the robberies. In one scene, he even gives employees coats before locking them in a freezer.

The film’s official summary describes him as a struggling father and ex-Army Ranger. It says: “Based on an unbelievable true story, Roofman follows Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), a former Army Ranger and struggling father who turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname: Roofman. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys ‘R’ Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.”

The cast also includes Peter Dinklage as the toy store manager, Kirsten Dunst as a woman Manchester falls for, and Ben Mendelsohn as a pastor. Other cast members include LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Uzo Aduba, Jimmy O. Yang, and Tony Revolori.

The film was shot in North Carolina in late 2024 and is set to be released in theaters on October 10, 2025. It was originally scheduled for October 3. The movie was filmed on 35mm and includes scenes from local spots like Freedom Park and the Gaston County Courthouse.

Production began after Cianfrance co-wrote a new script with Kirt Gunn. The original idea came from David Stephens and Peter Petrucci. Miramax and Paramount Pictures are handling the release.

The story of Jeffrey Manchester first made headlines years ago because of how unusual his crimes were. He avoided violence, lived in hidden spaces, and stayed under the radar for a long time.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!