Channing Tatum Keeps Pushing for His Gambit Solo Movie: “I’ve had such a long journey”
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is the latest addition to the MCU, and it’s been a box office success, thanks in part to the return of several live-action Marvel legacy characters. Fans were thrilled to see Snipes’ Blade, Garner’s Elektra, and Evans’ Human Torch make their comebacks. However, the film also offered a surprising appearance by a character whose solo movie nearly happened a decade ago.
If you’ve been keeping up with Channing Tatum or the film’s promotional material, you know that Gambit shows up in a smaller role. While it may seem minor, understanding the backstory reveals just how long and challenging the journey has been for Tatum to finally portray the character.
Tatum and Gambit share a long and tumultuous history. The actor, along with his longtime collaborator and producer Reid Carolin, developed a pitch for a standalone Gambit movie they brought to 21st Century Fox. Their vision was for a raunchy, humorous film similar to Deadpool. Although Fox was interested in the concept, they were hesitant to greenlight the project with Tatum or Carolin as directors, as neither had directing experience. Eager to bring the character to life, Tatum agreed to their terms.
However, before the project could move forward, Fox merged with Disney, leading to the cancellation of the movie.
Gambit remained off the radar until his unexpected appearance in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” where Tatum’s portrayal received widespread acclaim, sparking renewed calls for him to get his own MCU film.
Tatum has since confirmed discussions with Bob Iger and Kevin Feige, stating that the fate of the movie is now “in God’s hands.” Additionally, a recently revealed deleted scene from the film shows Gambit surviving The Void, hinting at future possibilities for the character.
In a recent interview with Blink Twice, Tatum continued his campaign for a solo Gambit movie:
I’ve had such a long journey with this person, this character and story and the fact that my buddy let me come be him and play dress up in his movie? I was just very happy,
Many contributed to making “Deadpool & Wolverine” a reality, but Tatum expressed that he feels especially grateful to Ryan Reynolds for helping bring Gambit to life.
These pictures are almost 10 years apart to the day. I sat in the audience when Ryan showed his first peek of Deadpool 1 to the world and I think I ran back stage right after and found him and I think I just hugged him and was like holy shit you did it man. It’s perfect. I didn’t know him really at all back then. But since then I can say that there is almost no one that has had my back in this industry more than Ryan. I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But he fought for me and Gambit. 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. I love ya buddy. Shawn Levy as well. Truly such a brilliant creator on every single level. All things happen for a reason. 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. LFG!! #deadpoolandwolverine
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