As a long-time comic book fan and moviegoer, I have to admit that I was both thrilled and perplexed by Channing Tatum’s cameo as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine. Having followed Tatum’s long-standing desire to play the character since his initial unrealized attempts back in 2006, it felt like a bittersweet victory.
Warning: spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
In the Deadpool and Wolverine adventure, fans were treated to numerous surprising appearances, just as anticipated. However, one guest role might confuse some audiences.
Channing Tatum makes a significant appearance in Marvel Studios’ hit film, portraying the famous X-Men character Gambit. Notably, he previously brought this role to life in the popular animated series “X-Men ’97” on Disney Plus.
The scene featuring the ex-Magic Mike actor in Deadpool and Wolverine is among the most notable celebrity appearances, but it might be perplexing for those not well-versed in Hollywood antics.
Don’t be afraid! We’re here to share the background of why Tatum’s much-anticipated Gambit film didn’t get released.
Why is Channing Tatum playing Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine?
Channing Tatum’s connection to Gambit from Marvel goes back to 2006. At that time, he was selected to portray the character in X-Men: The Last Stand for a cameo role, but this part eventually got dropped.
The actor was a strong candidate for the X-Men Origins: Wolverine part, but couldn’t sign up because of scheduling conflicts between X-Men and GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra filming.
As a result, Taylor Kitsch (Battleship) secured the role of Gambit in his initial and previously sole live-action performance, agreeing to a multi-film contract. However, this agreement failed to materialize following the disappointing reception of X-Men Origins by both fans and critics.
By the time 2014 arrived, the underperformance of the film had refueled interest in Tatum, leading X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner to actively work on a standalone film featuring the Step Up actor.
In May 2015, Tatum shared with Empire magazine, “I have a deep affinity for Gambit. Raised in the South with a father hailing from Louisiana, we’d frequently visit New Orleans. The unique dialects and distinct culture resonated with me, setting it apart from other parts of America with its rich heritage. Consequently, I can relate to it.”
In my opinion, “He was the most authentic X-Man for me, carrying both a troubled heart and an ambiguous moral compass. He didn’t align with good or evil neatly. Instead, he chose his own way. And oh, did I mention his skills in poker, drinks, and martial arts?”
Despite facing numerous challenges, the production of Gambit stalled for several years. Various directors, including Doug Liman and Gore Verbinski, were attached to the project at different points, but disagreements between creatives and executives hindered progress.
Up until 2019, the production of the film was ongoing. However, development came to a sudden halt following Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox, leading to the termination of several projects in their final stages – including Gambit.
Disney and Marvel Studios sought full control over the X-Men characters, free from previous agreements. This was a desire shared by both companies. However, the announcement proved challenging for Tatum to accept.
In 2022, he spoke with Variety about his experience with Gambit: “After the project was cancelled, I was deeply affected. I disconnected from the Marvel universe. I haven’t watched any of their films since then. The character meant a lot to me and it felt like losing a dear friend as I had been eagerly preparing to bring him to life.”
Reid Carolin, who collaborates with him in film production, shared that their abandoned Gambit project was planned as a “romantic-comedy superhero film.” This genre blend might have explored the comics’ longstanding romance between Gambit (portrayed by Anna Paquin on screen) and Rogue.
Perhaps, making an appearance as Gambit in Deadpool and Wolverine will bring Tatum a sense of resolution regarding his past professional setbacks. Throughout the film, Tatum’s character delivers numerous humorous lines about how his portrayal of Gambit failed to take flight.
He distinctly mentions being born in the emptiness of The Void, implying that his acting career started before he even existed there, giving his tenure a unique and premature end.
Deadpool & Wolverine is out now in cinemas.
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2024-07-25 16:05