Gambit had an unfortunate fate in X-Men ’97, and some fans of the character might be hoping that a new project following the character might help make up for that. However, no such project can be confirmed at this time.
While recently speaking with Screen Rant, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige addressed the potential live-action debut of Gambit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige was asked if fans could look forward to Gambit in the MCU after the way the character was killed off in X-Men ’97. He responded, “I can’t [confirm Gambit is coming in a future live-action project]! [laughs] But I’m glad that you were so touched.“
It could be seen as frustrating for Gambit’s future to remain uncertain in the MCU, but Feige’s vague comments don’t necessarily mean that the character won’t soon be making his live-action MCU debut. Feige recently teased how the “Mutant Era” of the MCU will begin with the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, and it could be that he’s waiting until after the release of the film to divulge more news about the planned X-Men reboot. There have also been rumors of Gambit appearing in Deadpool & Wolverine, possibly with Channing Tatum in the role.
A Live-Action Gambit Appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Gambit was created by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee. He first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 in 1990, but it was X-Men: The Animated Series that turned him into a popular fan favorite. Taylor Kitsch played a version of Gambit in the 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine after planned appearances from the character in previous X-Men movies were scrapped in pre-production. For several years, Tatum was planning to play Gambit in a solo film for the character, but the project fizzled out following Disney’s Fox acquisition in 2019.
“It got swallowed up into Disney by way of Marvel when they bought Fox, and ultimately I just think that the tone of the movie we wanted to make was very far from what they wanted to do — or, you know, maybe they’re waiting to see how they do it with us or without us,” Tatum previously told THR about what happene dto his desired Gambit film. “We call every once in a while, but we’ve got to spiritually, emotionally, kind of mentally let it go.”
On how his Gambit would have ideally appeared in the scrapped movie, Tatum added, “[Gambit] could pull anything off. Most superheroes, their outfits are utilitarian. Batman’s got his belt. Gambit’s like, ‘No, this shit’s just fly, bro! This shit walked down the Paris runway last year.'”
Fans can find out if the rumors of Tatum popping up as Gambit are true by watching Deadpool & Wolverine on July 26, 2024.
