At one point, Channing Tatum was all set to star in an X-Men spin-off as Gambit before the project died in development hell.
The role that got away from Channing Tatum was Gambit, if the Magic Mike’s Last Dance star had been cast in the role for a planned solo movie about the X-Men character. It was a dream role for Tatum, a longtime fan of the crime-fighting mutant, but the project fizzled out before production could get underway. The movie’s cancellation devastated Tatum to the point where he hasn’t been able to watch any Marvel movies since.
In a new interview with Vanity purseTatum thought about the fateful one Gambit movie. He explains how the film was essentially squashed when Disney acquired the planned project via its 2019 acquisition of Fox. Tatum theorizes that the film’s darker tone ran counter to what Disney execs had in mind for the X-Men, or maybe they’re just taking their fun time figuring out how to approach the movie. If anything, Tatum seems to accept that it’s a lost cause, noting that he needs to “let it go” at this point.
“It was gobbled up by Disney through Marvel when they bought Fox, and ultimately I just think the tone of the movie we wanted to make was a long way from what they wanted to do — or, you know, maybe they’re waiting to see how they do it with us or without us. We call now and then, but we have to let go a little bit spiritually, emotionally, mentally.”
There may have been other difficulties getting in the way of the project, Tatum also recalls. He says he was busy with many other high-profile projects at the time, which may have caused some scheduling issues. Still, his work did not leave him as excited as it was on the road Gambit had.
“I was working a lot. I had the privilege of working with some of my favorite directors. I had ticked boxes that I would never have dreamed of. But something just didn’t quite fill me. I was really just trying not to be bad in movies, instead of being good. And I kind of thought, “What is…” And it really had nothing to do with my job. It was really about my life.”
Is Sam Wheat Channing Tatum’s Next Dream Role?
Tatum also revealed that his production company has acquired the rights to a Ghost redo. The actor may also star in the movie as a new version of Patrick Swayze’s character, who returns as a ghost after his murder to protect his love from the people who killed him. This could be the next big role that Tatum will be excited about after the mental release Gambit.
Meanwhile, Tatum continues in Hollywood, with his latest role in the latest installment of the magical mike series. dubbed Magic Mike’s Last Dancethe film will hit theaters on February 10, 2023.