Channing Tatum's long-awaited Gambit movie, which was ultimately canceled, was set to bring a unique twist to the superhero genre with a '30s screwball romantic comedy vibe, according to actress Lizzy Caplan. In an interview with Business Insider, the Cloverfield star shared insights into the project, which she was slated to star in alongside Tatum. Caplan described the concept as "a really cool idea," highlighting the film's innovative approach.
Tatum's journey to portray the beloved X-Men character Gambit has been fraught with challenges. Despite his efforts, the project was shelved following the 2019 Disney-Fox merger. The actor has openly discussed his fears of never getting to play the card-wielding mutant, admitting that the ordeal left him "traumatized." 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
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Lizzy Caplan, who was set to play the female lead in the Gambit movie as early as 2017, confirmed her involvement in the project during the Business Insider interview. 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."
In 2018, Simon Kinberg, the producer of the Gambit movie, shared with IGN that the film would embrace a "romantic or sex comedy vibe," reflecting Gambit's character as a hustler and womanizer. Kinberg noted, "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 direction, saying, "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 Channing Tatum and Gambit, Marvel Studios has yet to provide any concrete updates, though they have confirmed the upcoming 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 scene from Deadpool & Wolverine that was difficult to discern in theaters.
Warning! Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers follow.
