Long before Disney swooped in and gobbled up its entertainment assets, 20th Century Fox was looking to expand its X-Men universe with a solo movie headlined by Gambit. Channing Tatum was signed on to the project for years, but sadly, it never got off the ground. And in a new interview with Variety, Tatum shed some light on what could have been. Unmade Gambit movie.
Tatum was first linked to the role in 2014. Originally, he was expected to make his debut as Remy LeBeau in X-Men: Apocalypse before starring in his own film. But this obviously didn’t work out. Following the success of Deadpool, the filmmakers retooled the script for Gambit into an R-rated romantic comedy that had a similar tone. Tatum and his producing partner, Reid Carolin, were so enthusiastic about the story that they offered to direct the movie themselves. But due to their lack of behind-the-camera experience, the studio instead pursued other directors, including Rupert Wyatt, Doug Liman, and Gore Verbinski, all of whom were attached at various points during the film’s development.
“They would call him ‘flamboyant’ in his description,” said Tatum. “I wouldn’t — he was just the coolest person. He could pull anything off. Most superheroes, their outfits are utilitarian. Batman’s got his belt. Gambit’s like, ‘No, this s**t’s just fly, bro! This s*** walked down the Paris runway last year.’ He’s just wearing the stuff that’s so dope because he loves fashion.”
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In 2015, it was also reported that Léa Seydoux had been offered the role of Gambit’s love interest, Bella Donna Bordreaux. But according to Carolin, they had cast more roles than this, and they were even ready to roll cameras before rumors of Disney’s purchase of Fox started dominating headlines.
“We were right on the one-yard line,” revealed Carolin. “We had cast the film. We’d opened up a production office. We were on our way to shoot in New Orleans.”
By the time Gambit was shelved, Tatum was so upset that he hasn’t watched a single Marvel movie since. Regardless, it sounds like he and Carolin are still hoping that Disney gives them another chance.
“Once Gambit went away, I was so traumatized,” added Tatum. “I shut off my Marvel machine [and] I haven’t been able to see any of the movies. I loved that character. It was just too sad. It was like losing a friend because I was so ready to play him.”
Would you have liked to see Tatum as Gambit? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
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