When Deadpool & Wolverine was first announced, the big return or appearance that everyone was anticipating was Hugh Jackman putting his claws back on to portray Logan once again. Little did we know, the film would be littered with more surprises, including allowing Channing Tatum the chance to finally portray Gambit on the big screen. The actor was attached to the role for years before the project was scrapped following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, but Tatum’s scene-stealing turn was a highlight for fans. According to Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, Marvel was overjoyed with his performance as well.
During a chat on Entertainment Weekly’s Awardist podcast, Reynolds admitted that Marvel was “obsessed” with Tatum’s performance as Gambit and even though he doesn’t know what the future holds for the actor as the character, he believes that their enthusiasm is encouraging for a possible return. Reynolds said:
“I honestly don’t know what goes on behind closed doors in the bookkeeping sessions at Marvel, but I do know that they’re obsessed with him in that role. It’s kind of like the same situation I went through. Once you show that it works well, that’s really what they need. Sometimes they just need to see it in action.”
Reynolds would be correct that their journeys are a bit similar. The actor first played Wade Wilson in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a relatively minor role that could’ve been the end of his run, given the reception of the movie and its characterization of Wilson in the film. Still wanting the chance to play the character properly, Reynolds fought for his shot and proved what could be done with the role after test footage was leaked in 2014. The rest is history, as all the Deadpool films have been remarkably successful, especially his entrance into the MCU, which is the second highest-grossing film of the year. Perhaps Tatum’s turn in the latest Marvel release is the test footage they need to keep him as the character.
Channing Tatum’s Gambit Journey Began Years Ago
Tatum’s Gambit journey began when he was set to star as Remy LeBeau in a standalone project, set up at 20th Century Fox. The actor remained attached to the film, even making an appearance with the X-Men cast at San Diego Comic-Con, until it all fell apart when Disney acquired Fox. All the Marvel properties that they owned were absorbed by Disney, and the remaining in-development projects were scrapped. Tatum never got his true shot at playing Gambit until Deadpool & Wolverine, something the filmmakers were able to keep secret until the movie opened. Critics and fans praised the actor’s turn as the mutant with the ability to make anything he touches turn into explosive kinetic energy and many began to wonder, was this a one-shot deal to make up for the past, or will Tatum be the MCU’s Gambit moving forward.
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What is known is that Tatum’s Gambit is alive by the end of Deadpool & Wolverine. A deleted scene was released that confirms he’s alive and well, and it’s a moment that’s actually in the final cut. However, it’s featured in the background of a scene on a screen of various images that would be missed without an eagle eye. Whatever happens with Tatum and his future as Gambit, he has a cheerleader in Reynolds, who said of his fellow actor, “And Channing is so singular in how he plays that character, but also he’s so beautiful physically, the way he moves and the way he can pick up steps.”
Deadpool & Wolverine saw the return of other 20th Century Fox Marvel characters, including Wesley Snipes’ Blade, another actor that Reynolds believes should continue in the part, Jennifer Garner’s Elektra from Daredevil, Chris Evans’ Human Torch and Aaron Stanford’s Pyro. Thanks to the multiverse angle of the storyline, all of these performers got to shine in these roles once more, and whether this continues remains to be seen, but it was a nice moment of service for the fans who love these actors and characters.

A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
- Release Date
- July 26, 2024
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