Director Derek Cianfrance aimed for authenticity in his latest film, “Roofman,” refusing to cut any corners. To achieve this, production designer Inbal Weinberg was tasked with recreating a Toys “R” Us store from 2004.
Weinberg embarked on a nationwide quest to find any remaining stores, only to discover that very few were left after the retailer declared bankruptcy in 2018. Ultimately, she found an abandoned Toys “R” Us near Charlotte, North Carolina, which would serve as thier filming location.
“There was nothing intact. The ground had been cleared entirely; we had to start from scratch,” Weinberg recalls.
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The narrative of “Roofman” is based on the true story of Jeffrey manchester (Channing Tatum), who gained notoriety for robbing McDonald’s by cutting holes in their roofs—earning him the moniker “Roofman.” After being apprehended and imprisoned, he escapes and spends several months hiding out in a toy store.
Cianfrance’s vision for the set was intricate; he wanted every detail layered with authentic toys visible in the background. “Derek expressed that he wanted Channing to be able to roam freely and pick up anything he desired.If he chose something, there shoudl be another item behind it,” explains Weinberg.
The expansive set measured 24,000 square feet, prompting discussions among Weinberg and her team about how they could fill it with toys.they deliberated whether they should recreate items or source originals: “Should we make replicas? Should we buy them? Or create similar versions?” They collected thousands of reference images along with catalogs from that era and even watched training videos meant for Toys “R” Us employees available online.
She credits her art department for sourcing iconic items like Tickle Me Elmo dolls and classic toy cars such as Depraved Buggy models—alongside unique pieces like a Hillary Clinton Barbie doll—to populate the store authentically with period-appropriate merchandise.“That credit goes entirely to them,” she states proudly.
A further challenge arose from needing seasonal decorations since Roofman hid out over several months: “We needed various graphics representing back-to-school timeframes as well as Halloween and Thanksgiving themes,” she notes.
Weinberg accessed police reports related to Manchester’s case which helped visualize his hiding spot behind a bike rack within the store. additionally, they received insights directly from Manchester himself through regular conversations between him and Cianfrance during production: “Derek spoke weekly with jeffrey who described how it was situated behind a bike rack within the wall,” says Weinberg. This collaboration allowed them to create an intimate space where Channing could feel at home—a cozy refuge gradually developed throughout filming.
The crew also included an unexpected surprise for Tatum by incorporating some of Marvel’s most popular action figures into the set design—one of which resembled him personally—which added an extra layer of excitement during filming.” says Weinberg.