It’s no secret that Channing Tatum has been wanting to jump into the superhero game. Back in August 2013 while promoting his film ‘White House Down’, he expressed an interest in playing X-Men’s ragin’ Cajun mutant Gambit. Then last month the actor himself confessed of already meeting with producer Lauren Shuler-Donner for a possible role. Now it looks like it is official and Tatum is indeed going to be joining the X-Men universe!
While overseas promoting ‘X-Men: Days Of Future Past,’ Shuler-Donner spoke to Total Film and confirmed the rumor going around that Tatum has indeed been cast.
“It is Channing, yes, yes. He’s a rogue, he’s a rascal, just like Remy LeBeau. He can handle the action, as we know, and he’s got a real good heart, I know him personally. He’ll be great for Gambit, and he’s a southerner too, he understands that world, and you know Gambit loves New Orleans.”
Gambit is the mutant who can mentally create, control and manipulate pure kinetic energy at will. His first actual appearance after a brief shot in ‘Uncanny X-Men Annual’ #14 (1990), came in ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #266 (August 1990) and sealed his reputation as one of comics’ best loved bad boys.
Now I’m certain, like most of you out there, thought we already had our Gambit! Taylor Kitsch, who played Gambit in ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine‘ was a good fit. Or so I thought. Granted, the film was a bit lackluster, but even his minor role and minimal screentime in the film had supposedly cemented his role in any upcoming films. This, apparently, is no longer the case. It also appears that steps have been taken to completely isolate ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ from the mythos. Which is unfortunate as I, myself, would rather have the continuity throughout the films.
Director Bryan Singer has already stated he would like to see Gambit (as well as a very young Nightcrawler) in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse‘ so expect to see Channing’s debut there. Would it still be possible to still use Kitsch? The film franchise will move into the eighties and he could still play the mutant in films dealing with future timelines. Well, after watching the video below, it seems like Tatum may be in consideration for a possible solo ‘Gambit’ film too, perhaps in an origin film.
What are your thoughts on Tatum and Kitsch? Do you have your own preference? Team Tatum or Team Kitsch? Comment below!
