Channing Tatum As GAMBIT Is Closer Than We Thought

By Adam Holmes on Tuesday, April 15th, 2014

Several months ago, we reported on how Channing Tatum expressed interest in playing Gambit for a future X-Men movie. This wish was repeated by producer Lauren Schuler Donner, who said she’d like to see him in his own film. While a Gambit solo film is one of many spinoff ideas being tossed around, Tatum as Gambit is no longer just an idea; this could actually happen. Tatum recently told MTV that he’s met with the X-Men producers about playing the Ragin’ Cajun.

Gambit is really the only X-Man I’ve ever loved. I mean I’ve loved them all, they’re all great, but I guess from being down south – my dad’s from Louisiana, I’m from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida – I don’t know. I just related to him. He’s just kind of suave… He’s the most un X-Men X-Man that’s ever been in X-Men. Other than maybe Wolverine, who’s like the anti-hero. He’s a thief. He’s not even a hero. He’s kind of walking the line of grey…He loves women and drinking and smoking and stuff so he’s just a cool guy who happens to have a moral center….I hope it [comes together]. You never know it’s a weird industry. If the stars align, I would die to play it. I’m already working on the accent. It’s crappy at the moment.

Gambit was previously played by Taylor Kitsch in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, while director Bryan Singer wants to bring back Gambit (and Nightcrawler) for X-Men: Apocalypse.

Tatum may not be the guy we had listed for Gambit in our fan casts, but you have to commend the guy for already practicing a role he hasn’t gotten yet. I’m still skeptical, but if he’s serious about it, then maybe he’ll be able to pull off out favorite card-throwing mutant thief.

However, there two requirements that can’t be ignored. First, he’s got to slim down. Those muscles may be impressive for most of his roles, but they’re not a good fit for the lean Gambit. Second, do not screw up on the Cajun accent! If you can’t do those two things, Tatum, then we’re going to have a problem. You don’t want to fall down the same path the last Gambit did, do you?