Why Jenna Dewan Is Suing Channing Tatum Over 'Magic Mike' in Divorce Dispute

Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum filed for divorce in 2018, but the two are still working out all the details of their separation — and the latest development between the two involves Magic Mike, the 2012 film that quite literally thrust Tatum's abs into the spotlight, and all the sequels, TV shows, and live Las Vegas spectaculars that branched off from the movie franchise.

According to People, the couple is still working through a financial settlement that involves the profits from Tatum’s Magic Mike intellectual property. Here's what you need to know about Dewan's claims and why she believes that she should get a piece of the Magic Mike fortune. Get the full story here.

What does Jenna Dewan want from Channing Tatum?

Per a legal filing, key issues between the two include "division of property, reimbursement claims, support, breach of fiduciary duty, and attorneys' fees."

"Jenna is trying to prove that all of the Magic Mike intellectual property was developed during their marriage," Kara Chrobak, a shareholder at law firm Buchalter, explained. 

"Jenna is just looking for a fair resolution of community assets of the marriage, under California State Law," a representative for Dewan told the publication. "Jenna wants to reach a final determination and close this chapter of her life as soon as possible."

They also noted that Dewan and Tatum have "been trying to settle for over five years and have gone to many settlement conferences during that time." Her legal team asserts that if the timelines are in line with Dewan's claims, she's entitled to earnings from anything and everything related to Magic Mike, as the projects were created "with community effort and marital funds."

"Jenna will want to show, through witnesses and testimony, that the various spinoff projects were in the works or at least contemplated by Channing during their marriage and before they separated," Chrobak, who is not representing Dewan or Tatum, adds.

According to Dewan's filing, Tatum allegedly will not "accept an equal division of the Magic Mike intellectual property."

What parts of the Magic Mike project are in dispute?

In addition to three films — two sequels were released in 2015 and 2023, respectively — Magic Mike's success led to a reality TV series and a popular live Magic Mike show in Las Vegas. According to Dewan's team, all of the projects were "developed and co-financed by Channing during marriage with community effort and marital funds.” Her team went on to claim that Tatum "collected one hundred percent of the profits" after the separation without her knowledge. 

What is Channing Tatum's version of events?

Tatum disputes the timeline presented by Dewan's team. The first Magic Mike premiered in 2012. 

"Channing is trying to prove that the relevant Magic Mike earnings and intellectual property were acquired after the parties separated and therefore his separate property," Chrobak explains. "To prove this, he will need to demonstrate, through witness testimony and exhibits, when the relevant intellectual property was developed and when the income was earned. The timing of this information will be critical to his case."

Tatum's team also notes that Dewan may feel like she has "nothing to lose" by taking legal action because if she does lose the case, she'll only have to pay attorney fees. However, if she wins, she will get a cut of Magic Mike, which includes more than just the films.

"Given the amount of money at stake, both of them likely feel that it is worth the risk to let a judge decide. Jenna, especially, does not have much to lose, aside from attorney’s fees, by taking this to court, and her upside is huge if she prevails." Sources close to Tatum say that the divorce has "dragged on ... because Jenna’s actions and claims continuously contradict themselves."

"She says she wants a fair settlement but is ignoring all post-separation work Channing and his partners have done to enhance Magic Mike. She keeps stalling negotiations but says she wants to resolve this," the insider stated.

Tatum’s lawyers added that he has "exhausted all efforts in an attempt to settle this matter without litigation."

Is there precedent for Jenna Dewan's claims against Channing Tatum?

"While it is very unusual, it is not entirely unheard of," Chroback explains, stating that it's rare for something like this to be settled outside of the legal system. "Either the earnings at issue are his separate property, and therefore his, or the earnings are community property and subject to equal division. There is not really a middle ground, so it would be very hard for these two to compromise and settle the case on their own. Given the amount of money at stake, both probably feel like it’s worth the gamble to have a court decide."

How much Magic Mike money is at stake?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first Magic Mike film (which was loosely based on Tatum's experiences as a stripper before he became a Hollywood leading man) earned about $167.2 million around the world. Its sequel, Magic Mike XXL, earned $123 million in theaters. More recently, the third installment, Magic Mike's Last Dance, earned $57.1 million.

The live show has gone on tour and is currently playing in both Las Vegas (it opened in 2017 and has since cemented itself in pop culture history by setting the stage for conflict on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) and London. Fortune reports that the live shows have earned Tatum and his production company $125 million as of 2023. 

What does Jenna Dewan think of Tatum's claims?

While Dewan hasn't responded directly to Tatum's comments, sources say that she's ready to settle her divorce. Dewan is currently pregnant, and a friend told People that she has "clearly moved on. She’d like for all the doors to close and for her divorce to be finalized. She’s not dragging this on because she wants to or because she’s greedy." 

Additional sources close to Tatum have said that he also "just wants to move on and wants [Dewan] to move on with her new life as well."

Can Jenna Dewan get married to her fiancé, Steve Kazee?

A judge declared Dewan to be legally single back in November 2019. She could get married, but sources close to her note that she would prefer to have things with Tatum "settled before she gets married again."

Will a future marriage affect Jenna Dewan's spousal support?

Chroback noted that Dewan tying the knot with Kazee would keep her from receiving continued spousal support from Tatum.

"If Jenna were to remarry, it would impact her spousal support," Chroback explained. "Under California law, spousal support automatically terminates when the spouse receiving the support remarries. If Jenna remarries, her spousal support from Channing goes away."

When did Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan break up?

After meeting on the set of Step Up in 2006, the two married in 2013. They share a daughter named Everly, who is 10 years old. They continue to co-parent their daughter after separating in 2018. Dewan is now engaged to Kazee, and the two welcomed a son, Callum Michael Rebel, in 2020.

Tatum is engaged to Zoë Kravitz, who he was first linked to in 2021 after working on her film Blink Twice, which was previously titled Pussy Island.