Let’s say that, last year, you told me Channing Tatum would a) have a major role in three of my favorite movies to hit in 2012 thus far (Haywire, 21 Jump Street, and Magic Mike), and b) that I’d also start to actively anticipate what he does next. You can probably gauge the reaction for yourself, right? Moreover, isn’t it amazing what a few smart moves and the right material can do to your public image?

Anyhow, I’m entirely optimistic upon reading he’s scoped out a biopic of Robert “Evel” Knievel, the famed daredevil who gained notoriety for his often successful, sometimes failed motorcycle stunts. Along with taking the lead role, Tatum will produce with his partner at Iron Horse Entertainment, Reid Carolin; the Magic Mike scribe is expected to take up writing duties on this outing, too. (Someone write an essay about the societal connections between either protagonist’s professions.) To help raise the profile a bit more, Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca — Oscar nominees who, regardless, just made themselves a whole lot more notable with Fifty Shades of Grey — are also involved. [THR]

This untitled effort will find its crux in Stuart Barker‘s biographical book, Life of Evel, wherein his entire history, public and private, was chronicled for your reading pleasure; now we, as viewers, get to see Tatum soak all that public fame and endure all those private problems. Again: While I, last year, would’ve said this project is a truly terrible idea, this writer is convinced the guy can really handle it. So, yeah, I truly want to see Channing Tatum in an Evel Knievel movie.

This has been another installment of “Things I Never Thought I’d Type.”

How do you feel about Tatum taking this project under his wing? Is Knievel’s story worthy of the cinematic treatment?