In a surprising turn of events, the standalone film based on the X-Men character, Gambit, was ultimately shelved following the Disney-Fox merger in 2019. The project promised to deliver a unique twist on the X-Men franchise, described by actress Lizzy Caplan as a '30s screwball romantic comedy. The film was set to feature Channing Tatum and Caplan in starring roles, promising a fresh and entertaining take on the superhero genre. Despite several meetings and official sign-ons, Caplan and Tatum's aspirations were dashed when the project was scrapped.
The movie had gained significant attention for its innovative approach, aiming to blend classic romantic comedy elements with the X-Men universe. Caplan had expressed her excitement about the unique concept, calling it a "really cool idea." She had several meetings with Tatum and other producers to discuss the film's potential before its untimely cancellation. Reflecting on the project's fate, Caplan remarked, "It's kind of odd that it got scrapped. Those movies don't seem to ever get scrapped, but it did."
Channing Tatum, who was set to play Gambit, was notably disappointed by the project's cancellation. He had been vocal about his enthusiasm for the role and the film's potential impact on the X-Men series. Tatum described his feelings after the project was axed as "traumatized," likening the experience to losing a friend due to his readiness to embody the character. In a heartfelt post on X, Tatum shared his gratitude towards Ryan Reynolds for ensuring his portrayal of Gambit saw the light of day in a cameo for the 2024 movie Deadpool & Wolverine.
"I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But [Ryan Reynolds] fought for me and Gambit,” Tatum said in a post on X. “I will owe him probably forever. Cause I’m not sure how I could ever do something that would be equal to what this has meant to me. I love ya buddy.” – Channing Tatum
"[Levy] as well. Truly such a brilliant creator on every single level. All things happen for a reason. I’m so grateful to be in this movie. It’s a masterpiece in my opinion. And just pure bad ass joy. I was literally screaming in the theater. LFG!!" – Channing Tatum
"I loved that character. It was just too sad. It was like losing a friend because I was so ready to play him.” – Channing Tatum
Although Caplan seems to have made peace with the lost opportunity, saying, "Let's just say that was, like, so many years ago," she acknowledged the stress that came with the possibility of undertaking such a film.
"I had a lot of stress about doing that kind of movie even then," – Lizzy Caplan
