Sunday, January 31, 2010
Quick, A+E, Movies, Q&A

Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried

 

Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, “Dear John” (opening Feb. 5) tells the story of two young lovers separated by duty and other obstacles. Channing Tatum plays John, a young soldier with a troubled past who falls in love with Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) while on leave. When John goes back to his post in Germany, they promise to write each other letters every day.

There are a lot of differences between the movie and the book. Did you read the book before filming the movie?

TATUM: I read the story almost four years ago. Nicholas Sparks’ work is very beautiful, but this story also had an edge to it that some of the other books didn’t have. The characters and their characteristics are still the same; the structure is a bit different. I think we stayed true to the story in the end, and I hope everyone likes it.

Amanda, you sang in “Mamma Mia” and you sing a bit in “Dear John”—do you sing often?

SEYFRIED: I sing all the time. I have a piano and I play the guitar. It doesn’t help me prepare for my roles; it’s more like therapy.

Channing, Did working on “G.I. Joe” help you prepare for your role as a Special Forces soldier in “Dear John”?

TATUM: “G.I. Joe” wasn’t exactly an accurate military soldier role, but I did do “Stop Loss” before that, and I met a lot of soldiers. In no shape or form will I ever know what it means to be a real soldier, but all I can do is try to wear the uniform right and do it to the best of my ability.

With e-mail and texting, letter-writing is a dying art. When was the last time you sent a letter?

SEYFRIED: I don’t remember the last time I sent one, but I think they are a very romantic gesture.

TATUM: I’m not sure if I have ever sent a letter. Maybe when I was 9, 10 years old.  I still write [his wife] Jenna [Dewan-Tatum] love letters and whatnot.—Muriel Y. Vega