Gambit (Channing Tatum) (2017)

At long last, the Gambit movie has found its director. Channing Tatum came onboard the X-Men spinoff last year, and 20th Century Fox quickly staked out an October 7, 2016 release date. But the project has been slow-going when it comes to finding a director, with the clock ticking and October 2016 looming closer. Reports swirled that Tatum reached out to folks like Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher) to take the helm, but EW now reports that Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt has been tapped to steer this particular superhero ship.

Gambit aka Remy LeBeau is a fan-favorite character from the X-Men comics, a New Orleans native with a penchant for gambling and turning objects (like playing cards) into throw-able explosives. Taylor Kitsch filled the role in the 2009 misfire X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but with Gambit Tatum aims to jumpstart a new X-Men franchise as the series proper is currently at a high point; the 80s-set X-Men: Apocalypse currently in production.

Wyatt first gained notice with his 2008 film The Escapist before helming the pleasantly surprising Apes reboot. Last year he turned his attention to crime drama territory in the Mark Wahlberg-fronted remake The Gambler to somewhat ho-hum results, but he’s certainly proved capable of infusing blockbuster material with smarts and humanity, so he seems like a solid fit for Gambit.

Tatum is not only starring in Gambit but also producing alongside Reid Carolin, Lauren Schuler Donner, and Simon Kinberg. With a filmmaker now set, expect production to get underway later this year.

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Channing Tatum’s “Gambit” deal is in jeopardy of falling apart and he is planning to exit the comic book project at 20th Century Fox, an individual with knowledge of the situation has told TheWrap.

The studio had been in the process of testing young actresses to star alongside Tatum, including Lea Seydoux, but insiders suggest that director Rupert Wyatt will soon have to find a new leading man.

It is unclear whether Tatum and his producing partner Reid Carolin plan to remain involved in a producing capacity, or whether Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner will move forward on their own.

One individual close to the project told TheWrap that Tatum’s reps are still in active discussions with the studio but acknowledged that “something is up.” The situation will have to be resolved quickly, as “Gambit” is slated for release on Oct. 7, 2016.

Tatum recently appeared at San Diego Comic-Con to hype his turn as New Orleans thief Remy LeBeau, a.k.a. Gambit. The character was originally played by Taylor Kitsch in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”

“Gambit” has long been a passion project for Tatum, whose attachment encouraged 20th Century Fox to ramp up production. However, Tatum also has larger ambitions, which may play a role in the current situation.

In a recent Grantland profile, Carolin said that he and Tatum are planning to make their directorial debut soon, so it’s possible that the star’s desire to segue behind the camera is factoring into his decision. The actor also slated to star in “23 Jump Street” for Sony.

Now that Channing Tatum has been set for Fox’s Rupert Wyatt-directed X-Men spinoff Gambit, the studio is working on locking his female lead. This is a hotly contested job, the role of Belladonna Boudreaux aka Bella, and they’ve got a trio of the best and brightest testing next week. I’m hearing that Rebecca Ferguson, a revelation in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, will be testing; so will Lea Seydoux, who moved from Blue Is The Warmest Color to the 007 film Spectre; and finally Abbey Lee, who moved from Mad Max: Fury Road to the Alex Proyas-directed Gods Of Eygpt to landing the co-lead in the Nicolas Winding Refn-directed film Neon Demon. Stay tuned. In X-Men lore, Bella was Gambit’s love since childhood, but she eventually gained powers of her own and became head of the Assassin’s Guild. Gambit, aka Remy LeBeau, was head of the Thieves Guild.

Tyger wrote:Because it's a Gambit movie. Gambit sucks.

UltimateMarvel wrote:This movie is happening then. Personally, I don't see the need for a solo Gambit movie but we shall see. Is this a way to please the fans that were disappointed with him in Wolverine Origins?

WyldeMan wrote:

UltimateMarvel wrote:This movie is happening then. Personally, I don't see the need for a solo Gambit movie but we shall see. Is this a way to please the fans that were disappointed with him in Wolverine Origins?

No it's a shameless cash grab.

UltimateMarvel wrote:Good point. I never liked the idea of an Ant-Man movie but they made it work. Not sure if this is going to be part of the MCU but I don't think it'll turn out the same way for this. Ant-Man was a success internationally more if I'm not wrong. Then again you've got Magic Mike here so the ladies will be watching so......could go either way.

Rusty Cunt wrote:

UltimateMarvel wrote:Good point. I never liked the idea of an Ant-Man movie but they made it work. Not sure if this is going to be part of the MCU but I don't think it'll turn out the same way for this. Ant-Man was a success internationally more if I'm not wrong. Then again you've got Magic Mike here so the ladies will be watching so......could go either way.

Though it is Shaky Cam Limen directing it. Pretty sure it'll make me nauseous, regardless of the story.

ForeverBlu wrote:

Paul Greengrass is the shakey cam one that directed the second and third Bourne films

Rusty Cunt wrote:

ForeverBlu wrote:

Paul Greengrass is the shakey cam one that directed the second and third Bourne films

Fuck. He was too. Limen was only an EP on 2 of the other 3 Bourne's.

I've held distaste for him ever since, and it wasn't even him! haha

Seeing as how Channing Tatum's Gambit has yet to start filming, it should come as no surprise that the film will not hold on to its October 2016 release date.  The film is scheduled to start filming next month for a release sometime in 2017 according to producer Simon Kinberg.  This means the Untitled Fox/Marvel film to be released on October 6, 2017 could be Gambit.  Last month, Tatum unveiled his Gambit haircut at the Golden Globe Awards.  The project was was originally scheduled to start filming back in November 2015 but director Rupert Wyatt dropped out.  Doug Liman is expected to replace him.

Doug Liman has moved on from the Gambit movie for the time being in order to direct the sniper thriller, The Wall; this according to a report from The Wrap. Rumblings behind the scenes continue to spell trouble for the Gambit movie, with the movie being delayed, again, due to script issues. Originally slated to be released this October, The Wrap also reports that Channing Tatum’s producing partner, Reid Carolin, is now rewriting the script with Liman saying he will start his casting search from scratch aside from star and producer Tatum once he returns. Lea Seydoux was originally cast as the leading lady back when Rupert Wyatt was on as director, now her involvement is up in the air.

ForeverBlu wrote:It was confirmed on twitter that Lea has left the project.

ForeverBlu wrote:Unlike The Crow, Gambit will probably happen.

Channing is still in demand, plus I think he joined the
the X-Men crew at SDCC  last summer.

Although Channing Tatum has been confirmed to play the lead role in the “X-Men” spinoff “Gambit” since 2014, the film has been pushed back to 2017 at the earliest.

Simon Kinberg, a producer and writer, addressed the delays in an interview with Slashfilm: “I think the truth is when you have these movies that need a very special and unique tone, it takes a little while to find that tone,” he said. “‘Deadpool’ feels like it exploded out of nowhere, but it was a 10-year development process on that movie. I think it was honed over those 10 years.”

He continued, “I hope that ‘Gambit’ doesn’t take 10 years, but it takes a little honing to get that tone and that voice exactly right. The character has such a specific voice in the comic in the same way that ‘Deadpool’ has a specific voice in the comic, that we want to make sure that we capture that voice on the page. Really it’s just about getting a screenplay that is worthy of that character, and I think we’re really close right now.”

Last year, the pushed release caused director Rupert Wyatt to exit the project. “I was very much looking forward to working with my friend Channing and the team at Fox, but regrettably a push in the start date now conflicts with another project,” he said at the time.

ForeverBlu wrote:Just cancel it already.

UltimateMarvel wrote:Yeah, nobody is interested in this. Put him in a Wolverine movie or with the X-Men.

UltimateMarvel wrote:Yeah, nobody is interested in this. Put him in a Wolverine movie or with the X-Men.

WyldeMan wrote:

UltimateMarvel wrote:Yeah, nobody is interested in this. Put him in a Wolverine movie or with the X-Men.

An introduction in a spin-off might be the only way to sell Gambit. I don't remember much about him beyond his telekinetic throwing of playing cards and his Cajun accent but I really only remember him from the 90's animated series and the Taylor Kitsch abomination.