Channing Tatum Talks Real Life Inspiration for 'Dear John'

Playing soldiers seems to be a popular role for Channing Tatum, just coming off his role in GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra and now promoting his next flick Dear John. The film — based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks —is a romantic drama about a solider (Channing) who falls in love with a college student (Amanda Seyfried) while home on leave from his duty. Channing opened up to OK! on what is was like having wife Jenna Dewan on set as well as his on-screen chemistry with Amanda.

Channing, 29, and Jenna, 28,  married in Malibu in July. He said his new wife inspired his work in the film.

"I think that should just be a given," Channing told OK!. "I think that having somebody that you want to grow with and makes you want to be better is a huge key other than enjoying them and laughing. How you make it work is to pay attention and to make sure that they're okay. I know when Jenna has had a bad dream and I know when she is going to wake up in a good mood. And, maybe that's because I spend a lot of time with her, but just pay attention guys! Write a little note. Put it under the toilet seat! Just do something!"

Despite the romantic nature of the film, Channing said it was easier having his wife on set.

"It was a big thing, and during the audition I had said to Amanda that you have a boyfriend and I have girlfriend and we're totally in love so this is safe," he said. "We just have to be these characters. It was a safe place and that's what I love so much about acting is that you can play loving characters because it is safe. There is no blurring of the lines."

As far as Channing's onscreen chemistry with Amanda, he says it came naturally.

"She is really easy to get along with. As soon as she walked in the door, you could just tell. She is oddly quirky and weird and you just kind of love her for it," Channing said. "She is so talented and makes really interesting choices. She kind of goes away from the emotion and in a movie like this it could be a pitfall to be too melodramatic so you need someone with her lightness."

Amanda shared a similar response to having her loved one on set. When asked if she felt awkward, Amanda responded with an emphatic, "Hell no!"

"You don't really fear that, even though Channing is so great, so handsome, and so funny, I wasn't afraid that I was going to fall in love with him or anything," she said.

Reporting By Gena Oppenheim