With cameras scheduled to begin rolling on Gambit in just a few months, The Wrap reports that the deal between 20th Century Fox and the film’s star (and co-producer) is in jeopardy, making it quite possible that Tatum leaves the project. While the report is entirely unconfirmed at this point, if it proves true it would almost certainly delay the film — and at worst, it could render the entire project’s fate uncertain.
Set to be directed by Rise of the Planet of the Apes filmmaker Rupert Wyatt, Gambit was described (by Tatum) as an “unconventional origin story” for the mutant Remy LeBeau (a.k.a. Gambit), who was first introduced in a 1990 issue of Marvel Comics’ Uncanny X-Men comic book series. Created by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee, LeBeau is a Louisiana native who was raised by a powerful group of thieves and eventually joined the X-Men as part of his quest for redemption. Gambit is widely regarded as one of the most popular comic-book characters introduced during the ’90s, and has been a recurring character in various iterations of the X-Men comics over the years, as well as leading several of his own solo series.
It’s worth noting that the report regarding Tatum’s potential departure from the film cites an unidentified “individual with knowledge of the situation,” so it should be taken with a grain a salt until something more official is known.
Tatum had reportedly been screen-testing with potential female leads for the film this week — a pool of actresses said to include Spectre actress Lea Seydoux — and his representatives acknowledged that currently “something is up” in the actor’s discussions with the studio. Tatum and his producing partner Reid Carolin were also attached to the Gambit movie as producers, and speculation suggests that negotiation of the actor’s role behind the camera might have led to the sudden shift in his status with the project. Given that it was Tatum’s passion for a Gambit movie that’s frequently credited with getting it off the ground, it’s anyone’s guess as to where his departure could leave the film.
Gambit is based on a script by RoboCop screenwriter Josh Zetumer and is currently scheduled to hit theaters October 7, 2016.
