Is Channing Tatum's 'Roofman' Based on A True Story? Yes, Here's What You Need to Know

Channing Tatum is set to portray Jeffrey Manchester in Roofman, a new film based on the true story of an escaped prisoner who secretly lived in a Toys 'R' Us for months.

Directed by Greg Berlanti and also starring Kirsten Dunst, the film explores Manchester's time on the run and the bizarre real-life events that led to his re-arrest in 2005.

What Is 'Roofman' About and Who Was Jeffrey Manchester?

Roofman follows the strange case of Jeffrey Manchester, an Army Reserve officer turned serial thief, who was convicted for robbing more than 60 McDonald's and fast-food outlets across the US during the 1990s. His signature method? Breaking in through the roof after hours.

Manchester was arrested in 2000 and sentenced to 45 years in prison. But in 2004, he escaped from a North Carolina correctional facility by hiding inside a delivery box. Rather than flee far, he took up residence in a vacant Toys 'R' Us store in Charlotte living above the ceiling panels and surviving undetected for months.

What Happened During His Time in Hiding

During his time inside the toy store, Manchester used display bikes for exercise, tapped into the power supply, and even fashioned a bathroom from store supplies. He reportedly built a small apartment above the ceiling tiles and moved between walls to avoid detection.

He later broke into a nearby Babies 'R' Us and resumed robbing businesses using the same rooftop technique. His life on the run came to an end in May 2005 when police tracked him down and arrested him at a local dentist's office, where he was using a false identity.

What the Film Covers

According to Entertainment Weekly and People, the film takes a darkly comedic look at Manchester's story. Tatum plays the title role, while Dunst portrays a local woman who becomes part of his double life. The plot focuses on his secret world above the ceiling and the emotional complexity of a man who appeared more eccentric than violent.

The film is directed by Greg Berlanti, known for Love, Simon, and written by Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer. It will be released by StudioCanal and Amazon MGM Studios. No official release date has been announced.

How the Real Story Inspired the Script

According to director Greg Berlanti, the decision to adapt Manchester's life came from its sheer implausibility.

'You read the headlines and think it's fiction,' he said in early press interviews. The writing team reportedly stuck closely to actual events but added emotional depth by exploring what loneliness, routine, and fear might feel like when lived out inside a store meant for children.

Why Audiences Are Talking About It

Following the release of the trailer in June, Roofman quickly began trending online, with viewers surprised to learn the story was real. The trailer shows Tatum's character navigating the toy store at night, reinforcing the surreal nature of Manchester's hideout.

While some details are dramatized for the film, the core events the rooftop burglaries, the escape, and the store residency are all based on court records and police reports.

How the Story Lives On

Manchester is currently serving out his sentence in North Carolina. His story has been featured in documentaries and podcasts, but Roofman marks the first time it's been adapted for a major film release.

As true crime continues to inspire Hollywood, Roofman offers something rare: a real case that blends absurdity, ingenuity, and psychological depth all hidden in the ceiling of a toy store.