Channing Tatum’s Canceled Gambit Movie Had a '30s Screwball Romantic Comedy Vibe Set in the Superhero World

Lizzy Caplan reveals Channing Tatum's scrapped Gambit movie was envisioned as a 1930s screwball romantic comedy within the superhero genre.

In a recent interview with Business Insider, Caplan, who was slated to star opposite Tatum, described the film's concept as "a really cool idea." The project, ultimately canceled after the 2019 Disney-Fox merger, saw Tatum's long-held ambition to portray the popular X-Men character thwarted. Tatum himself has previously discussed the emotional toll of the film's cancellation, even describing the experience as "traumatizing." His eventual portrayal of Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine offered a surprising, albeit brief, resolution.

Deadpool & Wolverine: Easter Eggs, Cameos, and References

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Caplan confirmed her involvement in the project as early as 2017, stating that she had signed on and even participated in meetings with Tatum. She revealed that pre-production progressed significantly, with a shooting start date in sight. Producer Simon Kinberg previously echoed this sentiment, telling IGN in 2018 that the film would possess a "romantic or sex comedy vibe," reflecting Gambit's character.

Caplan corroborated Kinberg's description, stating that the envisioned film was "a '30s kind of screwball romantic comedy set in that world, which would have been really fun."

The future of Tatum's Gambit remains uncertain, though Marvel Studios has confirmed the imminent introduction of the X-Men into the MCU. Last August, Ryan Reynolds' tweet of a high-quality version of a Deadpool & Wolverine scene fueled fan speculation regarding Gambit's potential future appearances.

Warning! Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers follow.