Fans might recall Channing Tatum’s prolonged attempt to bring Gambit, the beloved Marvel comic book character, to life in a standalone movie. Actress Lizzy Caplan recently shed intriguing new light on the canceled film's unusual direction. Speaking to Business Insider, Caplan described the Gambit movie as a "screwball romantic comedy," offering a surprising departure from typical superhero fare.
Originally announced as a Fox project, Tatum passionately pursued the role of Gambit for years. Lizzy Caplan joined the cast as the leading lady in November 2017, hinting at a promising collaboration. According to Caplan, the film was far along in its pre-production stage, complete with a director, multiple producer meetings, and a scheduled shoot date. What excited Caplan most was the project's unique take—a 1930s-style screwball comedy woven into the superhero universe, an idea both refreshing and creatively daring.
Unfortunately, Disney's acquisition of Fox in 2019 brought the film’s development to an abrupt halt, leaving Tatum notably "traumatized," as he revealed to Variety in 2022. He described losing the Gambit movie as akin to "losing a friend," even distancing himself from Marvel films afterward due to disappointment.
Yet, all hope wasn't lost. Tatum ultimately debuted his interpretation of Gambit to widespread acclaim in Marvel’s 2024 hit, "Deadpool & Wolverine." Fans celebrated Tatum’s Gambit, prompting fresh calls for a standalone feature. Tatum himself expressed deep gratitude to co-star Ryan Reynolds, who fought diligently to ensure his Gambit portrayal finally made it onto the big screen.
Marvel executives now seem intrigued by Tatum’s potential for a Gambit spin-off. Ryan Reynolds hinted to Entertainment Weekly that Marvel leaders are now "obsessed" with Tatum in the role, mirroring Reynolds' own experience with Deadpool.
With fans hopeful, Tatum acknowledged, "It’s in Bob Iger and Kevin Feige’s hands." The decision remains uncertain, but the buzz indicates Marvel may soon reconsider this compelling character, embracing a fresh storytelling twist the audience clearly craves.
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Source: Variety
Photo Credit: Marvel
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