Alex Pettyfer joins male-stripper film with Channing Tatum, Steven Soderbergh

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Alex Pettyfer is about to hit the pole: The controversial young actor has signed on to play a male stripper in the upcoming Steven Soderbergh film ‘Magic Mike,’ based on the real-life experiences of Channing Tatum.

Pettyfer will play the young, scantily clad lead modeled after Tatum, who at 19 was working as a stripper.

Tatum will play a mentor to Pettyfer’s character, teaching him how to work his manly magic on and off a Chippendales-esque stage.

The ‘Dear John’ star and former stripper pitched the film to Soderbergh, of ‘Traffic’ and ‘Erin Brockovich’ fame, who called the idea ‘sexy, funny and shocking’ and said he has a vision for the movie along the lines of ‘Saturday Night Fever.’

Tatum is currently filming a ’21 Jump Street’ update. Pettyfer most recently starred in ‘I Am Number Four,’ a sci-fi flick that came with advance buzz full of rumors about his temper and diva-like behavior.

Let’s hope the song ‘You Can Leave Your Hat On’ has a calming effect.

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Upper photo: Alex Pettyfer in ‘I Am Number Four.’ Credit: DreamWorks

Lower photo: Channing Tatum. Credit: Michael Loccisano / Getty Images