After appearing as the iconic X-Men character Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, will Channing Tatum finally get to star in a full-fledged Gambit movie? As the actor revealed Thursday (August 8) night, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. And in fact, he’s discussed the prospect with the current Marvel Studios brass.
“[Of] course I’ve said it,” Tatum told Variety. “I’ve been saying I want it for the last 10 years. It’s in Bob Iger and Kevin Feige’s hands. I pray to God.”
In Deadpool & Wolverine, Tatum appears as part of the Resistance against villain Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), alongside other surprise supporting actors like Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Wesley Snipes as Blade (who is also pushing for Logan-style Old Man Blade movie), and Dafne Keen as X-23. While the other three have all appeared in movies, Tatum has — time and again — been thwarted from playing Gambit in live-action. Until now.
In fact, Tatum’s history with the character goes all the way back to 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, where he was cast in the role, only to have it cut from the script. Subsequently, he spent a decade trying to launch a Gambit spinoff movie, even getting as close as casting co-stars, building sets, and making costumes, weeks away from filming… With something going wrong, every single time. That brings us up to 2019, when Disney bought Fox, and killed Gambit permanently.
…Or, so we thought. Now that Tatum — despite his jokey, profane take on the character in the movie — is getting so much acclaim in the role in the MCU movie, Gambit might be back on the menu, boys. “I sure hope so,” Tatum continued. “From your mouth to God’s ears. Write it into existence, my friend. Please.”
That’s far from a confirmation. But rather than Tatum being dealt out, it seems like once again, Gambit might be in the cards.
