Deadpool & Wolverine’s best cameo is a missed X-Men opportunity

I can’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment and frustration as I reflect on Channing Tatum’s ill-fated journey to bring Gambit, the beloved X-Men character, to life in his own standalone movie. As a longtime fan of the X-Men universe and having grown up watching these characters come to life on the big screen, I can’t help but be invested in this story.

Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers follow.

It was no surprise that the highly anticipated team-up of Deadpool and Wolverine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought the unexpected, given that these characters were making their first appearances in the series.

The trailers had previously showcased appearances from X-Men film stars spanning the last 24 years. With the movie now released, it’s apparent that Aaron Stanford as Pyro, Tyler Mane as Sabretooth, and Dafne Keen as Laura/X-23 were just the beginning of an impressive lineup of cameos.

Surprisingly, an unfamiliar large figure is outshining Deadpool and Wolverine with a brilliant cameo appearance. If you’re not well-versed in X-Men lore, you might miss the potential significance of this scene, which seems like a wasted opportunity that has lingered in development limbo.

As a long-time fan of comic books and superhero stories, I can’t help but be intrigued by the mysterious appearance of that star in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” However, I must issue a stern warning to my fellow fans: major spoilers lie ahead. Having read countless comics and watched numerous adaptations, I understand how disappointing it can be to have a plot twist ruined before experiencing it firsthand. So, if you’re not yet ready to discover the reason behind that star, I recommend turning back now. But for those of us who crave the thrill of unraveling the secrets hidden within the pages of our favorite comics, let’s delve deeper into the story and uncover the truth together.

Why is Channing Tatum playing Gambit?

Among the surprising additions to the X-Men cast were Henry Cavill’s Wolverine version, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, and Wesley Snipes reprising his role as Blade. Notably, Channing Tatum officially entered the X-Men world (in a sense) by portraying Gambit.

Channing Tatum, who became famous for his role in “Magic Mike,” has been connected to portraying the Ragin’ Cajun character since as far back as “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006). After a wait of eighteen long years, he finally made it happen with a cameo. While the end result was worth the anticipation, it’s unfortunate that it took so long to come to fruition.

The mutant with the habit of tossing playing cards is recognized for his distinct Louisiana accent, gained from his roles in “X-Men: The Animated Series” and “X-Men ’97”. Later, Taylor Kitsch portrayed this character in the live-action film “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”.

In a unique southern drawl, Tatum devours the limelight among his resistance team, which comprises Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Blade, and Laura. Although his future remains uncertain due to Alioth’s arrival, the presence of Laura at the final feast hints that he might reappear.

It’s well-known that Tatum has fiercely advocated for the role of Gambit in X-Men films since their beginning under 20th Century Fox.

In 2003’s “X2,” Bryan Singer initially filed scenes featuring stunt actor James Bamford for a cameo appearance. However, Bamford proposed using a more recognized name for future projects, but unfortunately, the scene was deleted during post-production. For the third film, Gambit was suggested as a character, with Singer envisioning Keanu Reeves in the role until he left as director.

Around the same period when Tatum was filming “GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” Kitsch got the part in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” instead, as Tatum was unavailable. Previously, Kitsch had expressed that he wouldn’t mind if Tatum had taken the role of Gambit. In turn, Tatum stated that he was content with Kitsch portraying the character in the controversial “Wolverine” origin story.

In 2014, Tatum expressed to GQ his deep affection for the character, admitting, “I have a soft spot for Taylor Kitsch as an actor. He brought so much to the role. But there are other projects I’m passionate about pursuing.”

The character Kitsch portrayed as Gambit in the X-Men films was written out of the series, leading to a reboot with X-Men: First Class. Separately, Channing Tatum was formally cast to star in a solo Gambit movie.

In the initial scheme, Gambit was set to debut in “X-Men: Apocalypse,” with Rupert Wyatt agreed to helm a standalone “Gambit” film in 2015. However, the plan for introducing Gambit in “Apocalypse” was abandoned, and the project evolved into a smaller-scale story about criminals and heists instead of apocalyptic events.

The plan was to begin filming for “Gambit” in New Orleans by the end of 2015, with Léa Seydoux as the chosen actress for the role of Bella Donna Boudreaux. However, it’s no longer a shock that filming for this project didn’t commence in 2015. To this day, the cameras have yet to start capturing footage.

I was deeply invested in the progress of the project, looking forward to the release of Fantastic Four. However, Wyatt’s departure came as a surprise when he shared with The Beat how the underperformance of Fantastic Four led to drastic budget cuts for Gambit. Doug Liman then stepped in to produce, with Simon Kinberg labeling Gambit as a “heist movie and a sexy thriller.”

In the beginning, Liman began anew and let go of Seydoux. However, despite repeated dissatisfaction with the script, they parted ways amicably in August 2016. With high hopes for a successful collaboration, Gore Verbinski was poised to take over around October 2017. Unfortunately, he departed by December that year due to scheduling conflicts and whispers of creative disagreements.

In other reports, Fox considered making Gambit a key X-Men character and potential standout member after Jackman’s retirement from the role of Wolverine. However, this was believed to be too great a responsibility for Tatum.

After going through three different directors and with Channing Tatum still attached as the main actor, the film “Gambit” was delayed until a 2020 release. Without a director, the script underwent significant changes, transforming it into a romantic comedy similar to “Mr & Mrs Smith.”

As a long-time fan of the X-Men franchise, I was excitedly waiting for the upcoming projects centered around Gambit, Kitty Pryde, and Multiple Man at 20th Century Fox. The idea of exploring these beloved characters in their own films brought a sense of nostalgia and anticipation. However, my excitement was short-lived when Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in March 2019 dashed all hopes for these standalone projects.

Tatum appears to be deeply affected by the past events related to “Gambit,” sharing in February 2022 that Marvel movies bring back painful memories for him. Yet, as late as 2023, he openly talked about the project and acknowledged his emotional detachment from it.

It’s unclear whether this was an intentional deflection from his involvement in “Deadpool & Wolverine” or if his cameo was added at the last minute. Regardless, his natural fit in the role leaves us feeling sadness over the missed opportunity to witness an excellent solo Gambit film.

As a long-time fan of the X-Men universe, I’m excited about the possibility of Tatum being cast as Remy LeBeau, Gambit. While some might view this as just another role for him, I see it as an opportunity for him to bring his unique charm and charisma to a beloved character. With his experience in action films and his natural ability to embody complex characters, I believe Tatum is the perfect choice to portray Gambit’s wit and cunning. This could be the start of an incredible journey for him as he steps into the iconic trench coat and card-throwing hat, and I can hardly wait to see how he brings this fan-favorite character to life on the big screen.

For more on Deadpool & Wolverine, check out:

• Review of Deadpool and Wolverine
• Explanation of Deadpool and Wolverine’s post-credits scene
• What is the age rating for Deadpool and Wolverine?
• Who portrayed Lady Deadpool?
• Instructions for obtaining Deadpool and Wolverine’s ‘best friends’ necklace.

Deadpool & Wolverine is out now in cinemas.

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2024-07-25 18:20