Despite recent reports that the highly popular actor was about to back out of the movie, The Hollywood Reporter is saying that Channing Tatum has officially signed onto Gambit.
Tatum has been attached to the project for the past couple years, even appearing at Fox’s San Diego Comic Con panel this year, but recent reports had made it seem as if his involvement was about to end. The Hollywood Reporter says that Fox and Tatum were having issues with how long his role as Gambit would last. Fox is currently looking into having Gambit replace Wolverine as the main character of the X-Men film series, as Hugh Jackman is finally leaving the Wolverine role. If Tatum does take up this role, it could last for a sizable chunk of his career, as Jackman has played Wolverine since 2000.
Gambit is one of the more popular X-Men, having been a fan favorite ever since his first appearance in 1990. His role in the classic 90’s cartoon X-Men: The Animated Series cemented his role as a key X-Man in the eyes of the general public. Gambit had previously appeared in the critically panned X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where he was played by Taylor Kitsch; but much like the upcoming Deadpool, Gambit will ignore the events of that film.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt will direct the movie. Gambit is currently set to release on October 7, 2016.
