Jenna Dewan claims ex Channing Tatum hid details of her earnings from the lucrative Magic Mike movie and demanded she receive a share of the proceeds since they were still married when the idea for the sexy striptease franchise was developed.
At a hearing in a Los Angeles court on Friday, Dewan’s lawyer, Samantha Spector, said her client had received “a little” money, but it remains unclear how much should be shared between the ex, as she alleges that Tatum had complete control over the company’s finances. And confidence.
Spector said child support and the division of other property and assets can only be determined if the Magic Mike issue is first resolved.
“Magic Mike’s intellectual property and all the profits it generates are the elephant in the room,” Spector told Judge David Wasserman on Friday. “For the last two years, we’ve tried to resolve this matter in a meaningful way, but every time we do, we get stuck on this issue with Magic Mike.
“We’re dealing with a billion-dollar potential asset.”
Jenna Dewan at the FASHION TRUST US Awards on April 9, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. The actress is battling her ex-husband Channing Tatum over the income she said she was entitled to from the Magic Mike film franchise.
Channing Tatum at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars party in Los Angeles. Actor denies ex’s allegations that he tried to hide income from his Magic Mike films
Tatum (center) starred in and co-financed the film, which became a critical and box office success and grossed an estimated $167 million worldwide.
Tatum and Dewan did not physically appear in court Friday. Tatum listened to the proceedings virtually, but remained silent during the hearing.
The former Hollywood couple, married from July 2009 to November 2019, share a 10-year-old daughter, Everly, but have since moved on to other relationships.
Tatum is engaged to actress Zoë Kravitz, while Dewan is expecting her second baby with fiancé Steve Kazee. They also have a three-year-old son, Callum.
In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Dewan claims that she and Tatum acquired the intellectual property for Magic Mike together since they were still married when the film was developed.
Tatum, who was then a promising leading man, starred in the first Magic Mike film in 2012, directed by Steven Soderbergh.
The film was largely based on Tatum’s own experience as a young stripper when living in Florida.
Tatum and Soderbergh co-financed the modest $7 million project, which became a critical and box office success and grossed an estimated $167 million worldwide.
Two more films followed, and a strip show and tour based on the film also achieved national success.
Dewan is expecting her second baby with her fiancé Steve Kazee. They also have a three-year-old son, Callum.
Tatum is engaged to actress Zoë Kravitz
Tatum’s lawyers on Friday denied Dewan’s claims that the actor hid the profits in an irrevocable trust.
They also claimed that the Magic Mike actor “never denied” Dewan’s share of the community’s property or income.
“All transactions were carried out on an arm’s length basis; Petitioner was represented by counsel, signed tax returns, and actively participated in transactions for the benefit of the community and the parties’ daughter,” Tatum’s attorneys wrote in an affidavit.
“The evidence will show that respondent (Tatum) has never taken any actions to the detriment of the community or petitioner (Dewan).”
His lawyer, Jacqueline Combs, also said the Magic Mike franchise made most of its money after the couple split, according to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com.
At Friday’s hearing, Combs said Tatum repeatedly tried to resolve the issue with his ex without having to go through a separate trial, but instead was met with “unnecessarily contentious conduct and delaying tactics” by Dewan.
The former Hollywood couple, married from July 2009 to November 2019, share a 10-year-old daughter, Everly, but have since moved on to other relationships.
Dewan and her son Callum are due to give birth to their third child in June.
“This has been going on for six years and it’s very important to bring this matter to court,” a frustrated Combs told the judge.
Dewan’s lawyers said they were also prepared to go to trial, but alerted the judge that the actress was expected to give birth in mid-June.
The judge said he was “very aware” of her due date and ordered it be dropped off at Dewan before she gave birth.
The judge said Dewan and Tatum should be deposed no later than July 26.
The parties will return on May 15 to determine whether the Magic Mike intellectual property issue will require a separate short trial.
As of now, a trial date has been set for December.
Both sides have indicated they plan to call the other to the stand.
“This is your last chance,” Judge Wasserman told both sides. ‘That’s it.’
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