Magic Mike hunk Channing Tatum insisted to his friends that he wanted to be a serious dramatic actor -- and he was "done with taking his shirt off in movies," Breaking Celebrity News has exclusively learned.

But don't worry, ladies! The buff 34-year-old star who played a stripper is getting back in his G-string for the sequel, Magic Mike XXL, because producers showed him the money, a pal revealed.

“Channing was making a big point last year that his hunk days were over and that he really wanted to end his career as a sex symbol to focus on higher-end roles," the source noted.

"He’s a huge fan of Brad Pitt's career and was hunting for a solid role along the lines of Pitt's in the 1995 thriller Seven where he could change his image and build credibility.

"But it turned out the opportunity to cash in on Magic Mike again was too lucrative to pass up. Channing now says bosses are convinced it could turn into a mini-franchise and money’s the one big reason why he’s had a change of heart," said the source.

In 2012's Magic Mike, Tatum memorably played the title role of a veteran male