Channing Tatum Says Peter Dinklage Was the ‘Best Partner’ for ‘Roofman’ Nude Scene (Exclusive)

Channing Tatum bares (nearly) all in his new movie Roofman — and he says costar Peter Dinklage was the perfect partner for the lighthearted nude scene.

In the movie, which is based on true events, Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, a thief known as the Roofman because he robbed McDonald’s restaurants by breaking in through the roofs of the fast-food establishments.

He’s caught and sent to prison — but then escapes and hides behind a display wall inside of a Toys ‘R’ Us store, where he sets up a makeshift bedroom and only emerges at night.

While Jeffrey is cleaning himself in the sink in the wee hours, the store’s manager (Dinklage) shows up and encounters the naked trespasser. Slapstick comedy ensues as Jeffrey hastily makes an escape.

Asked about his favorite scenes to play in the film Tatum tells PEOPLE, “I’m not sure if I can say running away from Peter Dinklage butt naked is the most fun. because you feel utterly exposed.”

But, he adds, “Dinklage literally was the best partner in that scene because it was just funny and fun and we’re both just making jokes the whole time.”

“It was more of knowing that the camera’s following and being right behind you, right down the old barrel, double barrel, if you will. And that was fun,” he jokes.

The comedy-drama, directed by Derek Cianfrance, costars Kirsten Dunst, LaKeith Stanfield and Juno Temple.

For Tatum, the movie was a second chance to work with Cianfrance after passing on the opportunity to star in his 2010 drama Blue Valentine. (The male lead role ultimately went to Ryan Gosling.)

“I had just started acting and I read that script, I was just so young and new and it was such a heavy and sad, sad script,” explains Tatum. “I don’t think I was mature enough to — I don’t know, I was just afraid. I just was like, ‘I don’t think I can play this, man.’”

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More than a decade later, the Magic Mike star had more confidence and the desire to try something new: “Derek could have sent me anything and I’d have said yes,” he says.

Cianfrance tells PEOPLE he knew Tatum was his leading man for Roofman after they spent a long day together. 

“I met with Channing, I didn’t tell him I was thinking about him for the movie, and we took a long walk in the park for about six hours, and I was pretty sure from the moment I saw him actually, that he was the right guy,” he says.

Roofman is now playing in theaters everywhere.