For years there, Channing Tatum was linked to a movie based on the Marvel X-Men character Gambit.
The star was keen to take on the role and produce the film, but the studio never got the script where they wanted it. Then, when Fox was acquired by Disney, the project was killed quickly.
Speaking to Variety to promote “Dog” this week, actor Channing Tatum discussed the problems with trying to bring the character to life and one big issue is the studio didn’t want Tatum and filmmaking partner Reid Carolin to direct:
“The studio really didn’t want us to direct it. They wanted anybody but us, essentially, because we had never directed anything.”
He goes on to compare the project’s tone to “Deadpool” saying his version of the superhero would lean into the criticisms of the character’s appearance:
“They would call him ‘flamboyant’ in his description. I wouldn’t – he was just the coolest person. He could pull anything off. Most superheroes, their outfits are utilitarian. Batman’s got his belt. Gambit’s like, ‘No, this s–t’s just fly, bro! This shit walked down the Paris runway last year.’ He’s just wearing the stuff that’s so dope because he loves fashion.”
As the project died, Tatum lost his appetite for Marvel films with it:
“Once ‘Gambit’ went away, I was so traumatized. I shut off my Marvel machine. I haven’t been able to see any of the movies. I loved that character. It was just too sad. It was like losing a friend because I was so ready to play him.”
“Dog” has now ended up being Tatum and Carolin’s directorial debut. It is slated to be released in cinemas on February 18th.
