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He played a stripper in "Magic Mike" and an action hero in "21 Jump Street." But Channing Tatum’s latest character is not what you’d expect.

Tatum, 36, will play a mermaid in a gender-flipped remake of ’80s movie, "Splash," it has been announced.

The "Magic Mike XXL" star will play the role Daryl Hannah made famous in the 1984 movie, Deadline reports.

Tatum will also produce the movie, co-starring actor Jillian Bell in the part Tom Hanks originally played.

It has been described as a "intriguing take" on the original movie, which Bell — who co-starred alongside Tatum in "22 Jump Street" — reportedly pitched to executive producer Ron Howard.

Deadline reports no director has been attached to the movie yet, with the script to be written by "Liked" screenwriter Marja-Lewis Ryan.

The Hollywood industry site described the "Splash" plot as "strong enough to be reintroduced to a new audience."

This article originally appeared on News.com.au.