It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s just “Roofman” dropping in to rob another McDonald’s.
Based on a true story, Derek Cianfrance’s crime comedy-drama Roofman follows Jeffrey Manchester, a former U.S. Army officer who became a fugitive known for his unusual criminal methods. The film features a star-studded cast including Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, and Peter Dinklage. After premiering at the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 6, it is scheduled for a U.S. theatrical release on Oct. 10. Read on for everything to know about Roofman.
More from Gold Derby
What’s it about?
This plot chronicles the real-life story of a former U.S. Army Reserve officer who earned the nickname “Roofman” for his unique method of robbing McDonald’s franchises by entering through the roof. The tale was made famous for the bizarre way in which he evaded police, by hiding inside the wall of a Toys “R” Us store.
Who’s in the cast?
Tatum leads the ensemble as Jeffrey Manchester, a common thief and struggling father who’s a veteran of the United States Army Reserve. The actor revealed that he lost nearly 70 pounds for the role, dropping from approximately 240 pounds to 172 pounds to play the titular “Roofman.”
Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, ‘Roofman’Davi Russo/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Dunst plays single mother Leigh Wainscott, a Toys “R” Us employee and Jeffrey’s girlfriend. Peter Dinklage is Mitch, Leigh’s general manager at the toy store. Ben Mendelsohn and Uzo Aduba play pastor Ron Smith and Eileen, his wife. LaKeith Stanfield and Juno Temple portray Steve, an army veteran friend of Jeff’s, and Michelle, his girlfriend
Who’s behind the scenes?
Derek Cianfrance co-wrote (with Kirt Gunn, based on true events) and directed Roofman. Cianfrance previously received a Best Original Screenplay nomination for Sound of Metal (2020). The film’s producers include Jamie Patricof, Lynette Howell Taylor, Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, and Dylan Sellers. The cinematographer is Andrij Parekh, the picture editors are Jim Helton and Ron Patane, and the music composer is Christopher Bear.
Watch the trailer:
The two-minute, 26-second trailer was released on June 25 by Paramount Pictures. In it, Tatum’s character narrates, “We all like going back in time and imagining how things could have gone differently. Like, what if I made different choices? Would I have ended up here?” The movie’s comedic aspects are on full display in the video, including when Jeffrey locks a McDonald’s team in their freezer and offers up his own coat to keep them warm.
What are its Oscar chances?
Channing is currently Roofman’s strongest chance for an acting nomination, coming in 14th place for Best Actor, according to the Gold Derby Oscar odds. The actor is a two-time Critics Choice Awards nominee for 21 Jump Street (2012) and 22 Jump Street (2014), but he’s still looking for his first bid at the Academy Awards. See the updated odds:
Best Actor
Contender
Odds
1.
Timothee Chalamet
Timothee Chalamet
Marty Supreme
82.8%
2.
Jeremy Allen White
Jeremy Allen White
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
80.3%
3.
Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan
Sinners
58.2%
4.
Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson
The Smashing Machine
55.9%
5.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio
One Battle After Another
50.2%
6.
Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser
Rental Family
33.2%
7.
jesse plemons
Jesse Plemons
Bugonia
26.9%
8.
Wagner Moura
Wagner Moura
The Secret Agent
23.9%
9.
George Clooney
George Clooney
Jay Kelly
23.8%
10.
Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis
Anemone
16.9%
11.
Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal
Hamnet
13.4%
12.
Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke
Blue Moon
4.1%
13.
Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell
Ballad of a Small Player
3.2%
14.
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum
Roofman
2.9%
15.
hugh-jackman
Hugh Jackman
Song Sung Blue
1.9%
The film itself is currently in the Top 20 for Best Picture, while the script rounds out that category’s Top 10 for Best Original Screenplay. Elsewhere on the acting front, Dunst places 17th for Best Supporting Actress, and Dinklage is in the 15th position for Best Supporting Actor. Be sure to make or update your own Oscar predictions at Gold Derby.
Best of Gold Derby
Sign up for Gold Derby’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.