After numerous delays, the 'X-Men' spin-off will be moving forward with the '22 Jump Street' star still on board to play the titular hero.
- Jan 16, 2017
AceShowbiz - After being stuck in development hell and losing its two directors, Fox's "X-Men" spin-off movie "Gambit" finally shows a glimmer of hope. During the "Legion" presentation at the Television Critics Association winter press tour, "X-Men" movies producer Lauren Shuler Donner revealed that Channing Tatum is still attached to Gambit standalone movie as the titular hero.
During the presentation, a question came regarding the "Magic Mike XXL" star's involvement in the project, in which he's set to star as Remy LeBeau. Shuler Donner confirmed, "At this point, yes." As to what Tatum has been doing to prepare for the role, he refused to answer as he said, "You'll have to ask Channing."
Channing Tatum is still attached to play Gambit in a standalone #XMen movie, Lauren Shuler Donner told press in the scrum #TCA17
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) January 12, 2017
"Gambit" was initially set for an October 7, 2016 release. However, the movie has got numerous delays and got stuck in development hell since then. The first director who was tapped to helm the movie, Rupert Wyatt ("Rise of the Planet of the Apes"), reportedly left the project since the studio doubted his commitment to the project. To replace him, in November 2015 Fox hired "The Bourne Identity" director Doug Liman who later also announced his departure and chose to work on Warner Bros./DC's adaptation of Justice League Dark titled "Dark Universe". Fox is still looking for a new director to replace Liman.
Other cast members other than Tatum are still unclear. Back when Rupert Wyatt was attached to direct the movie, Lea Seydoux was tapped to play Belladonna Boudreaux. However, up to this day there is no confirmation whether the "Spectre" actress is still attached to the project.
With no director to helm the movie, "Gambit" release date is still unconfirmed.
