Fans Disappointed as Channing Tatum’s Gambit Reportedly Gets a Treatment Similar to Krasinski’s Reed Richards in the MCU: “It Was Meh”

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ was released a week ago and is shattering box-office records. While the film has generally been well-received by fans, some critics took issue with the cameos and jokes, which may only resonate with those familiar with two decades of the Fox X-Men franchise.

Regarding cameos, the movie was rumored to feature over 20 characters. While some of these rumors proved accurate, others did not. Among the confirmed cameos was Channing Tatum’s Gambit.

Tatum had long desired to play Gambit, and fans had equally long wanted to see him in the role. The ‘Foxcatcher’ star and his longtime collaborator and producer Reid Carolin had a concept they wanted to pitch to 21st Century Fox. Their idea was for a standalone film featuring the X-Men character Gambit, envisioned with a tone similar to Deadpool in its raunchiness and humor.

Although the 21st Century Fox team was intrigued by the concept, they were unwilling to approve it with Carolin or Tatum as directors. Tatum mentioned this in a Variety interview.

They wanted anybody but us, essentially, because we had never directed anything.

Tatum became deeply passionate about the project and decided to step aside for someone else to direct the film.

The release date for the movie was set for March 2020, but the plan was disrupted when Fox and Disney announced their merger. Disney was set to acquire key assets from 21st Century Fox, including their film and television studios, networks, and stakes in various companies.

Unfortunately, following the merger, the Gambit movie was among the first projects to be canceled. This left Tatum feeling devastated, and he subsequently lost interest in considering other Marvel movie opportunities. He shared his thoughts with Variety,

Once Gambit went away, I was so traumatized… I shut off my Marvel machine. I haven’t been able to see any of the movies. I loved that character. It was just too sad. It was like losing a friend because I was so ready to play him.

Tatum finally had the chance to portray Gambit in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’ Although his role was minor, it was significant for him. With the X-Men live-action reboot on the horizon, recent rumors suggest that the proposed lineup of mutants will mirror the cast from ‘X-Men ’97.’

This implies that Gambit will likely be part of the MCU’s mutant roster. However, it appears that Tatum’s Gambit may not have a prominent role in the new lineup. According to recent leaks, the actor is not expected to reprise his role as the primary version of the character in the cinematic universe.

The studio is probably seeking a younger actor if the characters are to be portrayed over a span of 10+ years.

A similar situation occurred with John Krasinski’s portrayal of Reed Richards in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Fans had long cast Krasinski in the role through fan theories, making his appearance more of a fan-service moment rather than a result of his strong desire to play the character. It is reported that the role was offered to Krasinski, but he declined.

This has led to greater disappointment among fans, and a similar outcome is expected for Tatum’s Gambit.

Fans also pointed out that his portrayal of Gambit wasn’t particularly well-received to begin with:

Would you like to see Tatum as the primary Gambit in the MCU? Share your thoughts in the comments below!