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For nearly two decades, Channing Tatum has yearned to bring the charismatic X-Men character Gambit to life on the big screen. His dream inched closer to reality with a surprise cameo in the blockbuster hit "Deadpool & Wolverine," which has reignited hopes for a standalone Gambit film.
Tatum's journey with Gambit began in 2005 when he was initially cast for "X-Men: The Last Stand," only to see the role cut from the script. Undeterred, he pursued the character through various X-Men projects, coming close but never quite sealing the deal. The actor spent four years developing a standalone Gambit film with producing partner Reid Carolin at 20th Century Fox, but those plans were shelved after Disney's acquisition of Fox in 2019.
At the premiere of "Blink Twice" on August 8, 2024, Tatum expressed cautious optimism about Gambit's future. "I sure hope so," he told Variety. "From your mouth to God's ears. Write it into existence, my friend. Please." He added, "It's in Bob Iger and Kevin Feige's hands. I pray to God."
The actor's persistence mirrors Ryan Reynolds' own path to playing Deadpool, which began with a poorly received version in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and evolved into a beloved franchise. Tatum publicly thanked Reynolds on Instagram for fighting to include Gambit in "Deadpool & Wolverine," writing, "I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But he fought for me and Gambit. I will owe him probably forever."
"Deadpool & Wolverine" has proven to be a massive success, grossing nearly $1 billion in its first two weeks of release. The film's multiverse premise allowed for fan-pleasing cameos from various Marvel eras, including Tatum's comic-accurate portrayal of Gambit alongside other fan-favorite characters.
Industry insiders speculate that the overwhelmingly positive response to Tatum's cameo could sway Disney CEO Bob Iger and Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige to greenlight a Gambit project. With Disney now owning the X-Men properties, the potential for expanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe with mutant-centric stories is greater than ever.
As fans eagerly await news of a potential Gambit film, Tatum continues to make waves in Hollywood. His latest project, "Blink Twice," directed by Zoë Kravitz, premiered to positive reviews. The psychological thriller, which explores power dynamics and excess, showcases Tatum's range as an actor beyond his action-hero persona.
