Channing Tatum's much-anticipated Gambit movie, which was ultimately canceled, was set to bring a unique twist to the superhero genre with a '30s screwball romantic comedy vibe. Lizzy Caplan, who was slated to star alongside Tatum, shared with Business Insider that the film had "a really cool idea." This distinctive approach was meant to highlight the charismatic and flirtatious nature of the fan-favorite X-Men character, Gambit.
Tatum's journey to bring Gambit to life has been fraught with challenges. Despite his efforts, the project was shelved following the 2019 Disney-Fox merger, leaving Tatum feeling "traumatized" and uncertain about ever playing the card-wielding mutant. However, fans were thrilled to see Tatum make a surprise cameo as Gambit in the MCU blockbuster, Deadpool & Wolverine.
Deadpool & Wolverine: Easter Eggs, Cameos and References
38 Images
Caplan, who was set to play the female lead in the Gambit film as early as 2017, confirmed her involvement in the project during her interview with Business Insider. She revealed that they had progressed significantly, stating, "We got down the road, we were gonna shoot it. I think there was a start date.”
Simon Kinberg, the producer of the Gambit movie, elaborated on the film's intended tone in a 2018 interview with IGN. He noted that the movie would have had a "romantic or sex comedy vibe," fitting for Gambit's character, who is known for his charm and swagger. Kinberg explained, "When you look at Gambit, he’s a hustler and a womanizer and we just felt like there was an attitude, a swagger to him, that lent itself to romantic comedy."
Seven years later, Caplan confirmed this vision, stating, "They wanted to do, like, a '30s kind of screwball romantic comedy set in that world, which would have been really fun."
As for what lies ahead for Tatum and Gambit, Marvel Studios has remained silent on the matter, though they have confirmed the eventual integration of the X-Men into the MCU. Last August, Ryan Reynolds, the actor behind Deadpool, fueled speculation among Gambit fans by tweeting a high-quality version of a Deadpool & Wolverine scene that was difficult to discern in theaters.
Warning! Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers follow.
