Is Channing Tatum's Gambit About to Overstay His Welcome in Avengers: Doomsday?

It’s astonishing how life can play tricks on us sometimes, especially when it comes to our favorite characters from the world of comics. For years, I’ve longed to see Remy LeBeau, or Gambit as we know him, grace the screens in the X-Men movies, beyond Taylor Kitsch’s brief portrayal in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Channing Tatum poured his heart and soul into making a solo Gambit film a reality, but it seemed as if every hurdle imaginable popped up, even the massive Disney/Fox merger. The prospect of seeing this beloved Marvel character in live-action again appeared to be nothing more than a pipe dream, that is, until Deadpool & Wolverine came along. Director Shawn Levy and leading man Ryan Reynolds decided to bring back none other than Channing Tatum for this 2024 MCU movie, giving us the long-awaited live-action Gambit we’ve yearned for all these years.

Doomsday, there are several concerns arising from various aspects.

You Can Have Too Much of a Good Thing

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I must confess that the idea of Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit in Avengers: Doomsday has me feeling a bit uneasy. You only need to look at what Taika Waititi faced when attempting to recreate the MCU’s comedic successes with Thor: Love and Thunder to understand why. Revisiting characters to rekindle past glory isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

Moreover, there’s a risk of Gambit becoming overexposed if he returns. The initial excitement of seeing Tatum finally embody this character in the MCU, which was fueled by his absence from a solo feature, has faded. The charm of his debut was rooted in the unexpected—now that we’ve seen him in action, the allure is no longer there. It’s like attending the same party where everyone knows your name; the magic fades over time.

In my perspective, one of the most humorous instances between Deadpool and Wolverine lies in their meta-comment about how their universe isn’t as developed or explored as, say, Blade’s or Elektra’s. Pondering over Gambit in a crowded feature like Avengers: Doomsday, I wonder if he can truly shine as a deeply engaging character beyond the meta boundaries of Deadpool & Wolverine. The potential pitfall here is that Doomsday’s script might become overly packed with forced attempts at creating “I’m Bout to Make A Name for Myself” 2.0, which could lead to problems.

It appears that Gambit’s absence of prior connections with the other mutants appearing in “Doomsday” further emphasizes that his return is primarily for a continuation of the dynamic between him, Deadpool, and Wolverine. In contrast, most of the mutants from “Avengers: Doomsday” are characters from the 2000s X-Men series who have extensive history working together. Gambit, however, seems to have been isolated in The Void and presumably in a different universe from Deadpool, Wolverine, X-23, and other mutant heroes. This separation may provide an opportunity for some amusing comedic moments, but it could also highlight the impression that Gambit’s presence is mainly for fan service.

Not Everything In The MCU Needs to Go On Forever

Back in the heart of the 2000s, I found myself tethered to the character of Gambit for the film “X-Men: The Last Stand,” but the script underwent so many transformations it felt like I was on a never-ending rollercoaster ride. Fast forward over two decades, and finally, I got my chance to breathe life into this charismatic Cajun character in one of the most monumental superhero movies ever made. It was a satisfying conclusion for me as an actor, and it seemed audiences couldn’t get enough of what made Gambit so captivating to me from the start. However, does that mean my version of Gambit will become a permanent fixture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Occasionally, characters in this series have standalone appearances, such as Tony Leung’s Wenwu in “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” or Jeff Bridges portraying Obadiah Stane in “Iron Man”. The unique circumstances behind the scenes played a significant role in making Gambit’s appearance alongside Deadpool and Wolverine in a specific production extraordinary. Leaving these factors out for “Avengers: Doomsday” leaves us questioning why we’re revisiting this trick-playing character so soon, especially since it might lead to a series of Gambit appearances that could consume Taylor Kitsch’s acting schedule for an extended period, potentially overshadowing other roles. This potential development seems rather underwhelming in the grand scheme of things.

A person who’s watched “Foxcatcher,” “Logan Lucky,” and “Hail, Caesar!” knows that Channing Tatum is a truly exceptional actor. In recent times, he’s demonstrated an eagerness to tackle unusual roles, such as starring in David and Nathan Zellner’s upcoming surreal comedy “Alpha Gang,” the indie drama “Josephine,” and Derek Cianfrance’s 2025 drama “Roofman.” Keeping Tatum tied up in Gambit for years seems like a wasted opportunity, utilizing his talent and time. This might be a dream for Tatum, who’s longed to have a Gambit solo movie. However, too much of a good thing can become tiresome (as Jack Sparrow learned with his expanding screen time in the “Pirates” series). “Avengers: Doomsday” could steer Gambit towards the same pitfall, and viewers might find their cravings for him already fulfilled.

Deadpool & Wolverine is now streaming on Disney+, Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on May 2, 2026.

2025-04-01 19:17

Is Channing Tatum’s Gambit About to Overstay His Welcome in Avengers: Doomsday?

You Can Have Too Much of a Good Thing

Not Everything In The MCU Needs to Go On Forever

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