Magic Mike competition struts onto HBO

Channing Tatum (centre) in 2015’s Magic Mike XXL

WarnerMedia-owned US streamer HBO Max has ordered a competition series based on the hit Magic Mike franchise of films and live shows.

Produced by Australian-US prodco Eureka and the US’s Warner Bros Unscripted Television, The Real Magic Mike (working title) takes 10 men who have lost their mojo and attempts to turn them into more confident people through stripping. The winner will eventually perform in the Magic Mike live show in Las Vegas and receive a cash prize.

The show is from the producers of the Magic Mike live shows and franchise, which began as a 2012 film starring Channing Tatum before becoming a live show, with Warner Bros distributing the movie. The first film was directed by Steven Soderbergh, who agreed a three-year production deal with WarnerMedia in 2020.

Tatum and Soderbergh are now exec producers on the format alongside Reid Carolin, who wrote both of the Magic Mike films, plus Peter Kiernan, Gregory Jacobs, Nick Wechsler, Vincent Marini, Alycia Rossiter, Cassie Lambert Scalettar, Chris Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Wes Dening and David Tibballs. Kevin Boyer is co-exec producer

Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max, said: “From box-office hits to sold-out live shows, Magic Mike has proven to be a pop culture juggernaut that continues to delight people across the globe. We’re excited to work with Channing, Steven and the team behind Magic Mike Live to continue this successful franchise that celebrates self-confidence and sexiness both inside and out.”