Channing Tatum's long-awaited Gambit movie, which was ultimately canceled, was set to offer a unique twist on the superhero genre by infusing it with a '30s screwball romantic comedy vibe. Lizzy Caplan, who was slated to star opposite Tatum, shared insights into the project during an interview with Business Insider. She described the concept as "a really cool idea," highlighting the film's innovative approach to storytelling within the superhero world.
Tatum's journey to bring Gambit to the big screen has been fraught with challenges. Despite his efforts, the project was derailed following the 2019 Disney-Fox merger. Tatum has openly discussed his fears of never getting to portray the beloved X-Men character, admitting that the ordeal left him "traumatized." However, fans were treated to a surprise Gambit cameo in the MCU blockbuster, Deadpool & Wolverine, reigniting hope for future appearances.
Deadpool & Wolverine: Easter Eggs, Cameos and References
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Caplan, who was set to play the female lead in the Gambit movie since as early as 2017, confirmed her involvement and shared that the film was close to production. "We got down the road, we were gonna shoot it," she told Business Insider. "I think there was a start date."
Simon Kinberg, the producer behind the Gambit movie, had previously discussed the film's tone with IGN in 2018, describing it as having a "romantic or sex comedy vibe." He noted that Gambit's characteristics as a "hustler and a womanizer" naturally lent themselves to a romantic comedy setting.
Seven years after Kinberg's comments, Caplan elaborated on the intended direction of the film. "They wanted to do, like, a '30s kind of screwball romantic comedy set in that world, which would have been really fun," she said, underscoring the unique vision for the project.
As for what lies ahead for Tatum and Gambit, Marvel Studios has yet to reveal their plans, though the studio has confirmed the upcoming integration of the X-Men into the MCU. In August of the previous year, Ryan Reynolds, the actor behind Deadpool, fueled speculation among Gambit fans by tweeting a high-quality version of a scene from Deadpool & Wolverine that was difficult to discern in theaters.
Warning! Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers follow.
