As a boy growing up in the 90s, Channing Tatum must have been a fan of the various comic books that were once a fad among the young ones instead of the gadgets and gizmos that have invaded the lives of today’s kids and teeners, even adults too.
The “G.I. Joe” star finally had one acting wish granted when he was officially taken in by 20th Century Fox to play the role of the mutant hero Gambit in an upcoming X-Men spinoff movie, reports Yahoo! Celebrity.
The confirmation that Tatum finally got the role came no less from the actor when he tweeted on Monday asking followers how to say October 7, 2016 in Cajun, obviously alluding to the official release date of the X-Men spinoff movie about Gambit.
After seeing the mutant Gambit for the first time in the movie “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” shown in 2009, Tatum has been openly expressing his desire to play the role, which was played by Taylor Kitsch.
But prior to the release of the X-Men spinoff in October 2016, Channing is also expected to take on the role of Gambit in the movie “X-Men: Apocalypse” due to be released to theaters on May 27, 2016, less than five months before the mutant’s solo film, to give the mutant hero a good take off point.
The origin of Gambit
Gambit, as a mutant, first appeared in the X-Men comic books published by Marvel Comics. He appeared first and briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 comic book before getting a more comprehensive role in Uncanny X-Men #266 released in August 1990.
The mutant hero has the power to mentally create, control, and manipulate kinetic energy to suit his desires. A professional thief, Gambit is a card-throwing expert in hand-to-hand combat.
When he was first introduced in the comic books and the 2009 “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” Gambit exuded a very thick Cajun accent which is a proof of his being quite proud of his Louisiana heritage.
Known also as a ladies’ man among the X-Men, Gambit has an on-again, off-again love interest on Rogue, which would most likely be played to the hilt in the upcoming X-Men spinoff movie.
Three X-Men movies in 2016?
Fox has not yet made any announcement as regards the casting of the X-Men spinoff movie on Gambit except for the fact that Tatum will be playing the lead role and Joshua Zeturner will write the screenplay, according to a report by Variety.
The X-Men spinoff movie will square off with Warner Bros’ “Live Night” and Universal Pictures’ “Monster High” at the box office on October 7, 2016.
Screen Rant meanwhile got wind of a report that another X-Men spinoff movie, this time on the mutant Deadpool, will also be released in 2016, which would mean three X-Men movies next year.
Just like Gambit, Deadpool made a cameo appearance in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” in 2009 and the role was played by Ryan Reynolds then.
While the first two X-Men movies for 2016 are already set for their respective playdates, the X-Men spinoff movie on Deadpool has yet to be confirmed and announced.