X-Men's New Gambit May Just Have Been Cast

(Picture sourced from screencrush.com)

X-Men movie producer Lauren Shuler Donner have hinted to us that she was in talks with Channing Tatum to take on the role of the mutant thief Gambit, also known as Remy LeBeau. Although not officially announced as of now, but Donner was reported as saying that this is a done deal.

In the comics, Gambit can control pure kinetic energy and is a master of card throwing and uses a bo as the weapon of choice. He is of Louisiana heritage and speaks with a thick Cajun accent.

We first saw him onscreen in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where he was played by Taylor Kitsch. A lot of his bio was not translated, like his accent and his love for Rogue; and I have no idea how much accuracy can we expect of Tatum's incarnation as well.

Despite the many flaws of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Kitsch's performance wasn't one of them. Accent notwithstanding, I thought there is a lot of potential for him and the Gambit character. Unfortunately, this news would have put the nail in the coffin for Kitsch.

Do I see Tatum as Gambit though? Not at all. Sure he has the physique and the charm; but I doubt Tatum's new found talent and fame can pull off a Cajun accent properly for an entire movie. But more importantly, his looks just doesn't scream Gambit, not by a long shot.

Nevertheless, I believe the studio knows what they are doing and they probably will give Gambit a new direction, not a comic book version but a version that would be translated well on the silver screen. And hey, more comic book movies, more happy me.

Here's hoping we'll see a solo Gambit movie first before we see X-Men: Apocalypse.

On a side note, Deadpool was first introduced in that disappointing installment as well, and again, I thought the potential was there, nay, stronger even; for Ryan Reynolds to get a Deadpool solo movie. There's still hope for Reynolds as of now because, no news is good news.