AceShowbiz -

Channing Tatum has landed a role in "The Contortionist's Handbook", a movie adaptation of Craig Clevenger's novel with the same title. Beside tackling the lead role, the 30-year-old actor is also set to produce alongside Reid Carolin, Sriram Das, John Penotti, Tim Williams and Sidney Kimmel, Deadline Hollywood reports.

Tatum's character is described as a forger who easily switches from one identity to another because of a strict code of conduct that keeps him from getting caught or having to deal with his own troubled past. His life is later turned upside down when he falls for a beautiful woman who keeps a dark secret.

"Craig Clevenger's crafting of the highly complex character of John Vincent Dolan entertained and shattered us when we read it," says Penotti on the novel as quoted by Deadline. Robin Shushan is hired to turn the book into a movie's script and the producer has already had faith on the scribe, stating "Robin's adaptation crisply captures the gripping journey that Channing will lead us through."

No director is on-board for the drama thriller, but ScreenDaily previously reported that "Repo Men" director Miguel Sapochnik is attached to the project. "The Contortionist's Handbook" is expected to start shooting in early 2011 for a tentative 2012 U.S. release.

After wrapping production for Katie Holmes-starring film "Son of No One", Channing Tatum has begun shooting for Ron Howard-directed comedy "The Dilemma". He will next appear in "The Eagle" which will be dropped in the U.S. on February 25, 2011 and he is set to reprise his role as Duke in "G.I. Joe 2".