Channing Tatum recently admitted to steering clear of Marvel movies, citing the emotional fallout from the dashed hopes of starring in an X-Men spin-off, specifically as the lead in "Gambit," an independent film centered around the mutant character from the X-Men universe.
In a conversation with Variety, Tatum and his partner Reid Carolin reflected on their ambitious plans for "Gambit," initiated at Twentieth Century Fox in 2016. Despite their passion for the project, Tatum disclosed that the studio was hesitant to let them direct, given their lack of prior directing experience. Undeterred, Tatum was willing to relinquish the director's chair, emphasizing his commitment to the character.
Describing their vision for "Gambit," Tatum revealed that their take on the superhero would have mirrored the tone of "Deadpool" and earned an R rating. The unique approach aimed to transform the film into a superhero romantic comedy, exploring the challenges of both saving the world and maintaining a relationship.
The duo was on the verge of bringing their vision to life, having completed casting and established a production office in preparation for filming in New Orleans. However, the Disney-Fox merger in 2019 marked the downfall of "Gambit." Disney's decision to overhaul the X-Men universe left the project abandoned, much to Tatum and Carolin's disappointment.
The collapse of "Gambit" left Tatum devastated, prompting him to distance himself from Marvel movies entirely. He shared that the character held a special place in his heart, comparing the loss to saying goodbye to a friend. Despite the setback, Carolin expressed a hope for the project's reconsideration in the future.
Tatum, still passionate about the character, expressed his willingness to portray Gambit if given the opportunity again. He conceded that perhaps their initial desire to direct the film was rooted in arrogance and suggested he would gladly take on the role without directing responsibilities.
