'Magic Mike' Director To Take The Stand In Jenna Dewan And Channing Tatum's Divorce Trial
Jenna Dewan is shaking up her divorce trial with Channing Tatum by calling in a high-profile witness —Steven Soderbergh.
Dewan's move to depose the acclaimed director of "Magic Mike" adds a dramatic twist to their ongoing legal battle. This move comes after the former couple, who have been entangled in disputes for six years, finally committed to resolving their issues in court.
Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum have been at each other's throats for six years, finding no common ground on the "Magic Mike" earnings.
Jenna Dewan Set To Question 'Magic Mike' Director For Two Hours
The actress is turning up the heat in her divorce proceedings with Tatum by calling Steven Soderbergh, the renowned director behind "Magic Mike," to the stand.
Dewan intends to question Soderbergh about the "business, creative and financial activities of the various Magic Mike enterprises. Witness will also testify with respect to Magic Mike intellectual property."
Since their split in 2018, Dewan and Tatum swiftly settled custody of their daughter Everly but have struggled to agree on how to divide the assets from the lucrative Magic Mike ventures. Dewan is pushing for a 50 percent share of Tatum's earnings from the franchise, a demand he has resisted.
Court documents obtained by In Touch reveal Dewan's plans to grill Soderbergh for two hours about Tatum's earnings and the franchise's financial details. Additionally, the mother-of-three aims to depose a Warner Bros. representative and some of Tatum's producing partners to bolster her case.
The 'Step Up' Actress Accused Channing Tatum Of Concealing 'Magic Mike' Profits
Dewan ramped up the legal battle in her divorce from the father-of-one, alleging that he has been hiding the true value of the popular film franchise.
She claimed that Tatum's breakout role in the 2012 film, which sparked a successful series of sequels, a reality show, and a lucrative Las Vegas live show, was developed and financed with marital funds during their marriage. Dewan argues that the 44-year-old:
"With the participation and assistance of his business manager and other associates," has used a "complex web of LLCs, holding companies and partnerships, all of which are calculated to dilute and conceal the value of, and licensing income therefrom, the community property share of Magic Mike intellectual property and derivative assets."
She accuses him of failing to disclose business opportunities and keeping all profits from the franchise since their separation, leaving her excluded from her rightful share of the earnings.
Channing Tatum Wants To Question Jenna Dewan's Fiancé, Steve Kazee
The former pair's divorce saga has reached new heights as both parties prepare to drag their current partners into the fray. While Dewan prepares to question "Magic Mike" director Steven Soderbergh for two hours, Tatum is targeting Dewan's fiancé, Steven Kazee, for an hour of intense questioning.
The Blast reported that Tatum is focusing on Kazee's involvement in Dewan's life, probing into their "cohabitation, joint expenses, and all related matters."
This move comes despite Kazee's earlier deposition on March 15, where he already discussed his relationship with Dewan, as Tatum is adamant about bringing him back to the stand.
Kazee, who began dating Dewan in 2018, got engaged in 2020, and welcomed two children with her, will face questions about their relationship dynamics during the trial.
The Actor's Vacation With Zo? Kravitz Was Marred By Divorce Drama
Tatum's blissful getaway with his fiancée hit a snag as their high-profile retreat at Taylor Swift's opulent mansion was overshadowed by intense legal battles.
What was meant to be a relaxing escape quickly turned tumultuous when the producer had to confront pressing divorce issues. Amidst their luxurious vacation, Tatum faced a new legal challenge as his estranged wife filed a motion to disqualify his divorce attorneys.
Dewan contended that the law firm Tatum employed had previously represented the couple during their marriage, creating a potential conflict of interest. However, the "White House Down" actor pushed back, seeking to dismiss Dewan's claims and insisting that the allegations lack merit.
Channing Tatum Criticized Jenna Dewan's Move To Remove His Lawyers
Tatum also fired back at Dewan's legal maneuver, accusing her of using it as a stalling tactic in their protracted divorce battle. The "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" star criticized Dewan's petition, which challenged the impartiality of his legal team, as a transparent attempt to obstruct the proceedings.
In his rebuttal, Tatum dismissed "The Rookie" star's claims regarding the law firm's alleged conflict of interest, asserting:
"Neither law firm has ever had any possession of any of Petitioner's confidential information. And, there is no applicable legal authority to support Petitioner's claim that the attorney-client privilege extends to a spouse of a minority shareholder of a business entity."
Tatum also countered her allegations that he had withheld critical financial documents, insisting that such claims should not be used to delay court-ordered depositions and deadlines.
Which way will Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum's divorce trial swing?
