Watch Channing Tatum Redefine ‘Magic Mike’ in Goofy ‘Fallon’ Game
Channing Tatum plays a stripper in the Magic Mike franchise – but based on the title alone, he could have also been a wizard or a magician. Using that silly theme as a catalyst, The Tonight Show recruited a group of elementary school students to write scenarios based on the character “Magic Mike,” unaware of the film’s actual plot. In the above segment from Tuesday’s episode, Tatum and Jimmy Fallon dramatize those stories with a game dubbed “Kid Theater.”
The first story finds Mike (Tatum) using his “magic” to help Josh (Fallon) pump up his flat bike tire. “My magic is working!” Mike exclaims. “The bike tire is pumping up!” The twist? He’s just using an ordinary bike pump. “You’re right – I guess I’m just Mike,” he admits. In the second story, Magic Mike is tasked with keeping aliens “out of the lovely planet” and is reprimanded by his boss after doing a poor job. Turns out Mike’s an alien himself.
The most surreal story finds Fallon inhabiting the title role, with Tatum playing “Magic Bird,” a depressed creature who doesn’t enjoy his magical powers. Mike tries to calm down the bird by blowing on his forehead and patting him on the back – to no avail. In a final effort to improve his spirits, the duo sing an improvised version of their song “Magic Bird, Come Fly With Me.”
Tatum also sat down with Fallon to talk about the sequel Magic Mike XXL, which hits theaters July 1st. The actor, whom Fallon dubs a “total stud,” talks about his surprising dance moves in the film and shows a clip where the character gets back onstage to unleash his “inner Beyoncé.”
The actor also teases a fan screening where he dresses up as the balding “Scott” and gives fans lap dances in character.