Moviefone Editorial

Tag: gambit

  • Channing Tatum: ‘Gambit’ Being Rethought Thanks to ‘Logan’ & ‘Deadpool’

    Comic-Con International 2017 - 20th Century FOX PanelChanning Tatum feels “lucky” that his “X-Men” standalone movie “Gambit” has been delayed long enough that it will arrive in a post-“Deadpool” and post-“Logan” world. Those R-rated movies broke a lot of barriers, and even though Tatum told Yahoo Movies he still hopes his “Gambit” will be PG-13, he wants to take some inspiration from the bold new direction of the X-verse.

    Tatum talking to Yahoo during San Diego Comic-Con, while promoting “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” and the conversation turned to the progress with “Gambit.”

    “We got really lucky. We had a first draft it was good, but we were coming to it at a time at that creative phase of [the X-Men], where these movies went through a bit of a paradigm shift, where the X-Men movies and the superhero movies with Logan and Deadpool really broke down a lot of doors for us. We were trying to do some things that we actually weren’t allowed to do, and they just smashed down the doors, so we’re giving it a bit of a rethink.”

    He was asked about an R rating, but clarified, “We’re not quite going there, because I enjoyed Gambit as a kid so I don’t want to rule out PG-13.”

    “Gambit” has seen several rounds of setbacks and delays, but this actually sounds pretty hopeful. But we’ll see. In the meantime, there’s certainly enough going on everywhere else in the X-verse, from “Deadpool 2” to “Dark Phoenix,” “New Mutants,” and “X-Force.”

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  • Channing Tatum’s ‘Gambit’ Delayed by Rewrites, Production Pushed Again

    'Hail, Caesar!' Press Conference - 66th Berlinale International Film FestivalTrouble has been brewing around Channing Tatum’s “X-Men” spinoff “Gambit” for months, and now, the flick has reportedly suffered another setback. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is undergoing a new series of rewrites, which have pushed production back until later this year. That means that “Gambit”‘s planned October 2016 release date has now been canceled completely, and so far no replacement date has been scheduled.

    THR reports that “Gambit” director Doug Liman will now direct an entirely different movie during the timeframe he was to shoot the mutant flick, which is now tentatively scheduled to begin production at the end of 2016. “Gambit” is currently in the midst of extensive rewrites, per THR’s report, with Tatum’s producing partner, Reid Carolin, handling scripting duties for this latest pass over the screenplay.

    This is just the newest roadblock for “Gambit,” which has had a seemingly never-ending string of problems since studio Fox gave it the official greenlight last year. First, the flick spent months searching for a director (and was reportedly passed on by a bunch of big names, including Darren Aronofsky and Bennett Miller). Then, Rupert Wyatt (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) signed on, only to drop out of the project a few months later amid reported conflict over creative decisions (and a significantly altered production scheduled). Liman swooped in two months later, but then the planned March 2016 start date — pushed back from November 2015 — was once again delayed.

    So things don’t look great at this point for “Gambit,” and with Liman off filming another movie, that will give him even less time to prep for the spinoff’s shoot (though THR says the director “plans on knocking it out with a late spring/early summer shoot before returning to pre-production on ‘Gambit’”). THR also reports that the status of Lea Seydoux, who was to have played the female lead, is also unclear at this point; the potential recasting of a major role could be another obstacle that delays the proceedings. But on the flip side, Ryan Reynolds kept hope alive for seven years before his passion project, “Deadpool,” hit theaters; perhaps Tatum just needs to be patient, and “Gambit” will eventually come together.

    Stay tuned. It seems this story is nowhere near close to finished.

    [via: The Hollywood Reporter]

    Photo credit: Getty Images

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  • Doug Liman May Step in to Direct Channing Tatum’s ‘Gambit’

    "Edge Of Tomorrow" New York PremiereChanning Tatum has been interested in making “X-Men” spinoff “Gambit” for years, but apparently, not everyone in Hollywood shares his vision. The flick had a hard time securing a director, and when it finally did, he bailed on the job. Now, it appears that a replacement has been selected.

    The Hollywood Reporter writes that Doug Liman is the new top choice for the directing gig, and is currently in final negotiations to take over from the recently-departed Rupert Wyatt. Liman has plenty of experience in the action genre, helming 2014’s “Edge of Tomorrow” and past hits including “The Bourne Identity” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”

    While THR notes that those latter two films had trouble-laden shoots, both were big hits with critics and audiences alike. And according to the trade, Liman reportedly has a close relationship with “Gambit” producer Simon Kinberg, who will help steer the proceedings.

    It’s basically do or die at this point for “Gambit,” which has a late 2016 release date looming. Wyatt said he left the project over scheduling issues, but THR reports that he really had creative differences with the studio. Here’s hoping Liman doesn’t have any such issues, otherwise this mutant might have to be put down.

    “Gambit” is due in theaters — for now — on October 7, 2016.

    [via: The Hollywood Reporter]

    Photo credit: Getty Images

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  • Will Rogue Appear in ‘Gambit’? Anna Paquin Weighs In

    anna paquin, rogue, x-menNot much is known yet about the plot of Channing Tatum‘s upcoming “X-Men” spinoff flick, “Gambit,” including whether or not fellow mutant Rogue will make an appearance. Now, actress Anna Paquin, who plays Rogue in the series, may have an answer.

    In a Twitter exchange with fans earlier this week, Paquin was asked point-blank whether or not she will be in “Gambit.” Paquin’s response? A simple “no.”


    But when the media ran with that quote, stating definitively that Paquin wouldn’t be in the flick, the actress backtracked a bit, updating Twitter once more to clarify that her statement “wasn’t a press release” and that she just supplied “the information that I currently have.” So does that mean that she will appear in the movie after all?


    Maybe, but probably not. SlashFilm has a good analysis of how the films’ timelines make it seem unlikely that Paquin would star in “Gambit,” because if that flick is set in the 1980s (which is the rumor right now), then Rogue would be only a baby, according to the chronology of the existing movies. That means, obviously, that she can’t be a love interest for Tatum’s Gambit, like she is in the “X-Men” comic stories; plus, with the addition of Lea Seydoux to the cast as Bella Donna Boudreaux, the love interest angle is already covered.

    Of course, the plot for “Gambit” may not be set in stone yet, especially considering the film’s behind-the-scenes woes. It has an October 2016 release date, but its director, Rupert Wyatt, just suddenly left the project, and no replacement has been named yet. Production was also pushed from this fall to next March, another sign that the creative side has some issues.

    So Paquin-as-Rogue may yet fit into this version of Gambit’s story; it’s all a bit up in the air at this point. As Paquin herself noted, things may change, so stay tuned.

    [via: Anna Paquin, Anna Paquin, h/t SlashFilm]

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  • Director Rupert Wyatt Leaves Channing Tatum’s ‘Gambit.’ What Now?

    "The Gambler" New York PremiereChanning Tatum‘s “X-Men” spinoff flick, “Gambit,” has just experienced another setback: Its director, Rupert Wyatt, has left the project.

    Deadline reports that Wyatt chose to exit the film due to a scheduling conflict: The flick was initially set to start shooting in New Orleans in November, but studio Fox changed the start date to March, clashing with Wyatt’s schedule.

    “I was very much looking forward to working with my friend Channing and the team at Fox, but regrettably a push in the start date now conflicts with another project,” Wyatt said in a statement explaining his exit. “I thank them for the opportunity, and I know that Gambit will make a terrific film.”

    According to Deadline, “There are rumors that there was some disagreement over script and budget” that prompted Wyatt to bail on the production, though the “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” helmer has lots of buzz around him, so the scheduling excuse could indeed be a valid one.

    Still, it’s the latest problem plaguing the “Gambit” production, after the flick took forever to find a director in the first place. Wyatt seemed like a solid choice, but after so many people reportedly rejected the project, who’s going to fill in now? And can Fox find them in time for the flick to make its March start date (and October 2016 release date)?

    Stay tuned.

    [via: Deadline]

    Photo credit: Getty Images

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  • Channing Tatum Will Play Gambit After All (Sorry, Taylor Kitsch Fans)

    So now it’s kind of awkward. Last week, TheWrap had a story saying Channing Tatum may not play superhero “Gambit” because his deal was potentially falling apart. They noted that a decision would have to be made quickly, since “Gambit” already had a release date, etc. It prompted the Taylor Kitsch fans who loved him in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” to jump in and say he should just get the role back. But never mind, because now it’s official that Channing is going to be Gambit, and it sounds like he was never not going to be Gambit, he just had to finish his negotiations.

    Here are some big picture details from The Hollywood Reporter:

    One thing that needed figuring out was the extent of Tatum’s involvement in the X-Men universe. Fox sees Tatum’s Gambit, a mutant who harnesses kinetic energy, as one of the anchor characters of the X-universe, akin to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, someone who would anchor his own movies and appear in numerous others. It’s a commitment that could theoretically last more than a decade. (Jackman has been portraying Wolverine since 2000, for instance.)

    Sources say that backend compensation was also a sticking point.

    So if these movies — however many he makes as Gambit — make serious coin, Chan needs to be shown the money. But it is a bit awkward now, considering how many fans were fine — even happy! — about the idea of Channing dropping out, because they don’t see him as a good Gambit. Then again, it’s rare for fans to be 100 percent supportive of casting, especially comic book casting. Channing is a charmer and he’ll probably win everyone over, we just have to wait and see.

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  • Is Channing Tatum Exiting ‘Gambit’? If So, Should Taylor Kitsch Return?

    Channing Tatum looked so excited at San Diego Comic-Con as he joined the Marvel team to promote his upcoming role in “Gambit.” But now, just a month after the happy group photo below, rumors are swirling that Channing is leaving the movie:


    According to TheWrap, quoting “an individual with knowledge of the situation,” Channing’s “Gambit” deal is in jeopardy of collapsing and he’s planning to exit the comic book movie. This source said Channing’s reps are still in active discussions with 20th Century Fox, but it’s supposedly known that “something is up.”


    “Gambit” already has a release date of October 7, 2016, so if they lose Channing they either have to recast quickly or just take it off the schedule. Some fans think Taylor Kitsch should just come back as Gambit, since he had the role in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” But things are still in wait-and-see mode all around.

    Would you be sorry to lose Channing or would it be no big deal to recast — with Taylor or someone else?

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  • Behold Epic ‘Superhero Selfies’ With ‘X-Men,’ ‘Gambit,’ ‘Deadpool’ Casts

    While David Ayer was mocking Marvel over at DC Comics’ “Suicide Squad” Comic-Con panel, the Marvel team took some epic shots of their own at the 20th Century Fox talk.

    Check out Chris Hardwick’s photo with the great Stan Lee himself, backed by some familiar faces like Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Channing Tatum, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence and more. As Chris noted: “Panel 10 – Hall H, @20thCenturyFoxPanel – I mean this HAS to be some kind of damn record. Most superheroes in one selfie? Casts of Wolverine, X-Men, Deadpool, Gambit, and Fantastic Four PLUS the Generalissimo!!!” You can quibble over whether this is really “selfie” or just a group photo but here’s the shot:


    Channing Tatum tweeted his own version of the group photo, sharing his excitement to join the team as Gambit:


    And here’s arguably the best shot, from 20th Century Fox:

    How many superheroes can you fit on a stage? #FoxSDCC #XMenApocalypse#Deadpool #Gambit #FantasticFour #Wolverine

    A photo posted by 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfoxpanel) on


    So much awesome in one place. Sigh. FYI, io9 live-blogged the Fox panel if you want a play-by-play with screencaps, including lots of “X-Men Apocalypse” talk.

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  • Rupert Wyatt to Direct Channing Tatum in ‘Gambit’

    "The Gambler" New York PremiereChanning Tatum‘s upcoming “X-Men” spinoff, “Gambit,” has had some trouble snagging a director, but now, it looks like that position has finally been filled.

    Entertainment Weekly reports that Rupert Wyatt, who directed reboot “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” has been tapped to helm the film, which focuses on the New Orleans-born mutant. Tatum is taking over the role from Taylor Kitsch, who appeared as Gambit in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” This will be the card-throwing character’s first solo flick.

    Tatum had long desired to see Gambit get his big screen due, though a movie took some time to materialize. First, the studio needed to sign on; then, the flick floundered for months without a director (and was reportedly rejected by high-profile people including Darren Aronofsky and Tatum’s “Foxcatcher” director Bennett Miller). But now, it seems that Wyatt is at the helm, and work can finally start on the feature, which is due in theaters later next year.

    No official word has come down from studio Fox yet. Stay tuned to see what they have to say about Wyatt (and perhaps the rest of the cast).

    “Gambit” is slated for release on October 7, 2016.

    [via: Entertainment Weekly]

    Photo credit: Getty Images

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  • ‘Gambit,’ ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Set For 2016 Release

    A little Cajun flavor is coming our way next year.

    Fox announced a slew of new and modified release dates, including one for the long-awaited “X-Men” solo film, “Gambit.” Star Channing Tatum also announced the “Gambit” date on Twitter:


    The studio also revealed that video game adaptation “Assassin’s Creed” will hit theaters on Dec. 21. Hugh Jackman’s musical, “The Greatest Showman on Earth,” will bow on Christmas Day, and “The Mountain Between Us” with Rosamund Pike and Charlie Hunnam as plane crash survivors opens before Valentine’s Day 2017.

    One big change is that the third “Planet of the Apes” film will be pushed back a year to July 2017. The “Fantastic Four” reboot will be moved up a few weeks that same summer, so that “Apes” can have its place.