Channing Tatum has revealed that his role as Gambit in the upcoming spin-off and possibly X-Men: Apocalypse will be a fresh take on the character. Though Taylor Kitsch played the role of the mutant Cajun card player in Origins: Wolverine , it appears he won’t be returning for the role Fox cast him in.
Some have claimed that Tatum was a terrible choice to play Gambit, though the Southern-born actor claims he’s familiar enough with the lifestyle of the Louisiana bayou, as previously reported by the Inquisitr . Knowing the roots could give him the edge as he takes on the role of a professional thief with mutant powers who grew up on the bayou.
It is unknown if Channing Tatum will be joining the ensemble cast for X-Men: Apocalypse , but a recent statement points to the possibility.
As little time as Kitsch was given in the infamous role of Remy LeBeau, the fans still believe he was the best choice to play the role. Sadly, as Fox tends to do with the X-Men series (like with Kitty Pryde in X-Men: Days of Future Past ), Gambit was given powers the comics never gave him, such as telekinesis and increased jumping ability.
Hopefully when Channing Tatum takes over the role in the Gambit movie, and possibly in X-Men: Apocalypse , he will be given powers closer to the comic books and nail the personality and accent of the fan-favorite mutant.
This isn’t the first time a character was recast in the series, either. Sabretooth was played by two separate actors as well, despite age not being a real factor in his appearance.
Tatum told the press about how he will bring the Ragin’ Cajun back.
“I don’t want to give too much away because we don’t know that much right now other than who Gambit is. We really do want to try our hardest to give something fresh. We’re obviously going to go to the saving the world superhero movies eventually, but not for the first one.”
The statement gives us the hint that the X-Men spin-off won’t be Channing Tatum’s last appearance as Gambit, and he may even star in X-Men: Apocalypse .
Tatum will have a lot of expectations to live up to in the role of Gambit, with most fans already claiming he won’t be able to pull off the acting necessary. Taylor Kitsch has given his blessings, so the original actor sees promise in the 22 Jump Street star.
‘Gambit’ X-Men Spinoff Will Be a Unique Origin Movie http://t.co/bpLjflXiO2 #Gambit pic.twitter.com/xeOhWcJYHp
— MovieWeb (@MovieWeb) October 15, 2014
Between a general recasting of the entire team starting in X-Men: First Class , and the return of director Bryan Singer , there is a chance that Tatum will be able to deliver his promise of a fresh take on the role. With younger versions of Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Storm being considered, once again Singer will have his hands full if Tatum joins the cast as Gambit. Thankfully Jennifer Lawrence , Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy have already proven themselves.
Do you think Channing Tatum will be able to reinvent Gambit for a jaded audience in a standalone Gambit movie and X-Men: Apocalypse ?
[Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment / Marvel ]