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Long before Channing Tatum became a Hollywood superstar, he made his debut in a small, overlooked film called Havoc in 2005. It was a dark teen drama featuring Anne Hathaway, Bijou Phillips, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The movie didn’t get a wide U.S. release and went straight to DVD, but for the 25-year-old Tatum, it was his first real moment on screen.
The team behind the film was impressive. Barbara Kopple, a two-time Academy Award winner, directed it. Stephen Gaghan, who had won an Oscar for Traffic, adapted the script from a story by Jessica Kaplan, a teenager who tragically died in a plane crash in 2003. The finished movie was dedicated to her memory.
Havoc followed privileged Los Angeles teens bored with luxury who tried to mimic East L.A. street culture. Anne Hathaway’s Allison and Bijou Phillips’ Emily led the story, clashing with Freddy Rodríguez’s Hector and his gang. Tatum played Nick, one of the suburban teens trying to act tough, showing off bravado that fueled the group’s reckless choices. Michael Biehn rounded out the cast.
Despite the talent involved, the movie struggled to find its audience. After its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, New Line Cinema shelved its U.S. theatrical release. Reviews were mixed, but for Tatum, it was an important first step. Before acting, he had done modeling, martial arts, football, and even appeared in Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” music video. He had no formal training, but his natural presence helped him stand out.
Havoc wasn’t a blockbuster, but it gave Tatum experience and confidence. Soon after, he appeared in Coach Carter, and a year later, Step Up showcased his dance skills, launching him to fame. Over the years, he expanded into action, comedy, and drama, with hits like G.I. Joe, 21 Jump Street, Foxcatcher, and Magic Mike.
Nearly twenty years later, Havoc sits at the bottom of his filmography, but it represents the beginning of Channing Tatum’s journey—a modest start that led to stardom.