Before Disney acquired Fox’s X-Men franchise, the studio had attempted a shift toward darker, more mature storytelling, as seen in films like Deadpool and Logan. However, this transformation came too late to save the franchise, especially after Dark Phoenix failed at the box office. The transition of X-Men and Fantastic Four properties back to Marvel marked the end of several long-in-development projects, including a solo Channing Tatum Gambit film.
The Complexity Behind the Gambit Movie’s Cancellation
Among the shelved projects, a solo film centered on Gambit faced persistent delays before ultimately being canceled. Despite focus on Channing Tatum as the lead, and strong indications that production might begin, the film never moved forward. Tatum attributes the cancellation primarily to the script, which he described as too extreme and not in line with the studio’s expectations.
Channing Tatum’s Perspective on the Gambit Script
Tatum revealed that he and co-writer Reid Carolin crafted a script with an R-rating, blending romance and comedy in a way that pushed boundaries for a superhero film. The content reportedly included explicit elements uncommon in typical Marvel productions, aligning more closely with the tone set by Deadpool.
Look, 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,
Channing Tatum told Variety.
We made Gambit the kind of character who could only exist in a movie with ‘Deadpool.’ We had mutants having sex! It was wild, full-on. That’s something Marvel and Disney would never do. 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,
he added.
Potential for Gambit’s Future Within Marvel’s Expanding Universe
Despite Disney’s control of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its general avoidance of R-rated content and more adult themes, Tatum believes there remains room for diverse tones in superhero films. He suggested that Gambit could provide a unique, alternative flavor amid the current slate of Marvel movies.
But I think Marvel needs that kind of tonal diversity; something to balance the other side. 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,
he said.
Channing Tatum’s Continued Role in the Marvel Franchise
While the Gambit solo film did not come to fruition, Disney later invited Tatum back to participate in other projects like Deadpool & Wolverine. He hinted that his upcoming appearances, including in Avengers: Doomsday, will offer thrilling moments for audiences eager to see his character in action.
It’s gonna make your brains ooze out of your ears, like in the way that I knew when Blade walks on screen in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’…
Tatum told ET Online.
It’s that, times like 50.
