Channing Tatum remains hopeful that the Gambit movie will eventually reach theaters, although it likely won’t follow the original script developed before Disney’s acquisition of Fox. In a recent interview, Tatum revealed that the canceled Gambit project featured content that Marvel and Disney would never allow, marking a stark contrast to typical superhero fare.
The Original Gambit Script: An R-Rated Take Unfit for the MCU
During his conversation with Variety, Tatum described his unexpected role as Gambit in the Deadpool and Wolverine crossover as
“the most high-stakes cosplay of all time,”
calling it an “out-of-body kid moment.” Reflecting on the scrapped Gambit film, he explained that the script was an R-rated romantic comedy, pushing boundaries beyond what Disney and Marvel would permit.
He explained,
“If the fans really want it, I think there’s a world where Gambit could finally get his due,”
and added,
“If we’d made our Fox version, that script would’ve never gotten made – ever. It was an R-rated romantic comedy. And when I say R-rated, I mean we went for it. We made Gambit the kind of character who could only exist in a movie with Deadpool. We had mutants having sex! It was wild.”
Tatum highlighted that such mature themes are far from Marvel’s and Disney’s usual content, emphasizing,
“That’s something Marvel and Disney would never do,”
and elaborated,
“You don’t always know what Disney will be, but you definitely know what it’s not going to be. It’s not gonna be horror. It’s not gonna be sex.”
Potential for Tonal Variety and the Future of Gambit in the MCU
Tatum pointed out the need for tonal diversity within Marvel’s film catalog and sees Gambit as a character who could bring that edge. He said,
“Gambit’s a great opportunity for that. There’s so much you can do with him, and he’s slowly being built into the Marvel psyche. It’s fascinating, and I think one day they’ll figure it out.”
The Gambit movie, which previously featured Lizzy Caplan and Léa Seydoux attached to star alongside Tatum, was originally planned for release in 2018 but was quietly shelved after the Disney-Fox merger. Since Gambit’s cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine still resonates with fans, there remains hope that the character could eventually receive a proper solo film.
The Impact and Expectations Surrounding Gambit’s Return
Channing Tatum’s candid revelations highlight the creative limits imposed by Disney and Marvel on superhero films and underscore the character’s unique potential within the genre. While the original vision for Gambit may never be produced, Tatum’s enthusiasm suggests that Marvel may find a way to develop the character in a style better suited to their shared cinematic universe. Fans of the Channing Tatum Gambit movie may continue to watch for further developments as Marvel expands Phase 6 and explores new story possibilities.
