Zoë Kravitz Praises Ex Channing Tatum's 'Charisma' in Blink Twice 2 Months After Breakup

Zoë Kravitz continues to praise ex-fiancé Channing Tatum Blink twice performance.

Kravitz, who directed the film, explained Batman director Matt Reeves during Varieties In the Dec. 18 issue of Directors, she said that in casting Tatum, 44, she wanted to “use his charisma as a weapon.”

“Channing was the first person I thought of for Slater King, and I don’t know where that came from,” Kravitz, 36, said of Tatum’s portrayal of the tech billionaire in the psychological thriller.

Despite the former couple calling off their engagement in October, Kravitz, who met Tatum after casting him as the evil Slater, stands by her decision.

“I knew the character had to be someone we trusted, especially because you don’t trust Naomi [Ackie] (who played Frida) gets on that plane if it’s someone who’s immediately sneaky,” Kravitz said.

The Big little lies the actress explained that she wanted to “weaponize” Tatum’s charm because audiences had “never seen him” in that type of role.

Zoe Kravitz and Channing Tatum on August 8, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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Timeline of Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum’s relationship

She said Deadline in June 2021 that Tatum was her first choice to star in her directorial debut.

“[He was the one] I thought about that when I wrote this character,” she said. “I just knew from Magic Mike and his live performances, I had the feeling that he was a real feminist and I wanted to work with someone who was clearly interested in exploring this topic.”

Before the couple split, they joined each other for the film’s press tour and talked about working together as they continue their relationship. At the premiere of the film in Los Angeles Blink twice in August, Tatum told PEOPLE, “Creating something with someone you love is probably one of the most satisfying things.”

“We got to work together and go through hard things together and support each other, and it was beautiful,” Kravitz added at the premiere.

Speaking to PEOPLE afterward, Kravitz said it was “terrifying” to see Tatum play the bad guy. “He’s been doing such a good job, and as an actor, I’m like, ‘This is a great thing that he never got a chance to do,'” Kravitz said. “And also, he’s doing this role because he’s an ally. He wants to tell this story.”

Zoe Kravitz on March 8, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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Channing Tatum Is ‘Fine’ As He And Zoë Kravitz Get Busy With Work After Split (Exclusive Sources)

The couple sparked romance rumors in August 2021 when they were first spotted out together in New York. Then, in early February 2022, the couple started talking about each other in interviews. They got engaged in October 2023, but called it off a year later because they “realized they were at different stages in their lives,” a source told PEOPLE.

Although Tatum and Kravitz are divorced, they have another project, Alpha gangand will continue working together on comedy. An insider told PEOPLE, “They will continue to work together and are excited about a new project. They both love to shoot and create. Channing has a lot of respect for Zoë’s focus and passion.”

Channing Tatum on September 20, 2024 in Milan, Italy.

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Blink twice is available to stream on Prime Video and MGM+.

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Source: HIS Education