Channing Tatum to star in adaptation of 'The Forever War'

LOS ANGELES, May 1 (UPI) -- Channing Tatum will star in The Forever War.

The 35-year-old actor is expected to portray protagonist William Mandella in an adaptation of the Joe Haldeman sci-fi novel of the same name. Warner Bros. acquired the project after outbidding Sony this week.

Director Ridley Scott was previously attached to helm the film for 20th Century Fox, but the movie languished in development. Prometheus collaborator Jon Spaihts will write the adaptation, with Tatum, Peter Kiernan and Roy Lee as producers.

The Forever War was published in 1974, and adapted as a graphic novel in 1988. The story follows Mandella, a physics student who is drafted to fight against an alien species known as the Taurans. The book is thought to mirror Haldeman's experience in the Vietnam War.

Tatum last appeared in Lana and Andy Wachowski space opera Jupiter Ascending, which earned just $181 million on a $176 million budget. The actor will next star in Magic Mike sequel Magic Mike XXL with Amber Heard.