Channing Tatum's dream of playing Gambit became reality, bringing closure and excitement to the X-Men franchise's iconic casting.
Channing Tatum was originally connected to the Gambit film that 20th Century Fox planned to release in 2016, but the project faced numerous obstacles, cycling through directors like Rupert Wyatt, Doug Liman, and Gore Verbinski before stalling. The studio’s efforts to bring the movie to theaters were met with difficulty, delaying the project for years.
Lauren Shuler Donner, a producer deeply involved in the X-Men franchise, decided to cast Tatum largely because of his consistent enthusiasm for playing Remy LeBeau, the character known as Gambit, which he expressed during various interviews. This choice ultimately left Taylor Kitsch, who portrayed Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, sidelined from reprising the role.
Taylor Kitsch Reflects on Being Replaced by Channing Tatum
Though Tatum was reportedly Fox’s first pick for the Gambitspin-off dating back to 2009, Kitsch’s original turn as the character had a significant fan following. Recently, Screen Rant interviewed Kitsch regarding Prime Video’s The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, where he discussed his feelings about being replaced by Tatum for the role in last summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine.
When asked if he had seen Tatum’s take on Gambit, Kitsch responded,
“I have not,”
and addressed whether the topic was sensitive by saying,
“No, no, not at all, man. That’s the business, man. It’s all good. It’s like I love the path I’m on and the actor I’ve become and the stories I’m engaging in. No pun intended, here’s a quote for you, but Gambit wasn’t in the cards for me, man.”
Kitsch added about Gambit moving beyond his reach,
Image of: Channing Tatum
“Never say never, but I don’t know, man,”
further explaining,
“I don’t know. I love where I’m at, man, so I have no regrets with it. It just wasn’t, sometimes it’s not in my power to say who’s who or who gets to play what. So I can only focus on the people that want to work with me and collaborate with me.”
The Impact of Casting Choices on Both Actors
Despite the disappointment Kitsch might have felt, it has been many years since he portrayed Gambit, and he appears fully focused on his current projects. Meanwhile, Tatum’s connection to the character remained strong, and he has embraced the role enthusiastically. His return as Gambit is confirmed for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film set to release next December.
Reflecting on his MCU debut, Tatum credited Ryan Reynolds with championing his involvement, admitting,
“I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But [Ryan Reynolds] fought for me and Gambit,”
and acknowledging a deep sense of gratitude,
“I will owe him probably forever. Cause I’m not sure how I could ever do something that would be equal to what this has meant to me.”
Additionally, he expressed his excitement for his role by saying,
“I love ya buddy…I’m so grateful to be in this movie. It’s a masterpiece in my opinion. And just pure bad ass joy. I was literally screaming in the theater.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Gambit in the MCU
Tatum remains committed to the idea of a standalone Gambitmovie, indicating a long-held desire to see it come to fruition. He stated,
“I’ve been saying I want it for the last 10 years. It’s in Bob Iger and Kevin Feige’s hands. I pray to God.”
This emphasizes the ongoing anticipation from fans and the actor himself for a script focusing entirely on the character’s story.
The casting decision to replace Kitsch with Tatum underscores the business realities of Hollywood, where passion, timing, and studio confidence often dictate who embodies a beloved character. For now, Kitsch seems content with his career direction, while Tatum carries the torch forward, boosting the profile of Gambit within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the broader X-Men legacy.
