Channing Tatum’s Gambit Movie Was Supposed To Be a ‘Screwball Romantic Comedy’

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Channing Tatum’s long-awaited Gambit movie, which promised a fresh perspective on the Marvel character, unfortunately never made it to the big screen. Lizzy Caplan, who was slated to co-star with Tatum, has recently spoken about the project and offered insights into what might have been.

As a cinephile, I found myself intrigued by Caplan’s take on the abandoned project, Gambit. She expressed that it was an unexpected letdown to see such an intriguing concept shelved. “It’s quite peculiar,” she mused, “given that movies of this genre rarely meet the scrapping room, but this one did.”

The production had made significant strides, with a tentative start date and multiple discussions with Tatum and the film’s producers. Caplan reminisced about their shared vision for a 1930s-style screwball romantic comedy set in an engaging universe, which would have undoubtedly been a delightful watch.

For a long time, Tatum had been eagerly trying to get the movie “Gambit” off the ground, but unfortunately, production on the film came to a halt when Disney purchased Fox in 2019. The actor was passionately committed to breathing life into the character and collaborated extensively with writer and producer Reid Carolin from “Magic Mike.

When the Gambit project was terminated, it deeply affected Tatum. In a previous conversation with Variety, he confessed, “When Gambit disappeared, I was deeply hurt. I turned off my Marvel machine. Since then, I haven’t been able to watch any of the movies. I cherished that character. It was heartbreaking. It felt like losing a friend because I had been eagerly waiting to play him.

In relation to Gambit, Tatum had a distinct idea about his character’s style. “They [the studio] often labeled him as ‘flamboyant,’ but I wouldn’t use that term. Instead, he was simply the most stylish individual. He could carry off anything effortlessly. Unlike other superheroes who wear utilitarian outfits, Batman with his belt for instance, Gambit saw his attire differently. He would say, ‘This stuff is just cool, dude! This stuff was on the Paris runway last year.’

Despite Gambit not materializing as a standalone movie, Channing Tatum eventually got his opportunity to portray the character in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine. Fans were pleasantly surprised by this appearance, and the actor expressed gratitude towards Ryan Reynolds for making it possible on social media.

Initially, I believed Gambit was gone for good. However, [Reynolds] stood up for me and Gambit. This act will undoubtedly be something I’ll be eternally grateful for. I’m unsure if there’s anything I could do to reciprocate the immense impact this has had on me. Buddy, I appreciate you so much… I feel fortunate to be a part of this movie. In my opinion, it’s a masterpiece and an unadulterated display of coolness. Watching it left me shouting in the theater!

Tatum’s performance has rekindled interest in a standalone Gambit movie, and he himself has expressed his continued involvement. In his words to Variety, “I’ve been saying I want it for the last 10 years. Now it’s up to Bob Iger and Kevin Feige. I hope it happens.

As a follower, I can share my perspective based on Reynolds’ statement: Just like how Marvel seemed captivated by me as Deadpool, it seems Channing Tatum has their hearts racing as Gambit too. Reynolds told Entertainment Weekly that the inner workings of Marvel are unclear to him, but he knows they’re smitten with Tatum in that role. It appears similar to my own situation; once you prove a character works well, that’s what they need. Sometimes, all they require is to see it played out on screen.

Personally speaking, I find myself content with the fact that the film never materialized. Back then, I carried a significant amount of anxiety about undertaking such a project. Now, I’m quite at ease with the decision not to be part of a movie like that.

As Channing Tatum steps into the expansive realm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the prospect of a standalone Gambit movie still hangs in the balance. However, what’s indisputable is that Tatum’s enthusiasm for the character continues to burn brightly.

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2025-02-26 11:44