Lizzy Caplan reveals Channing Tatum's scrapped Gambit film was envisioned as a 1930s screwball romantic comedy within the superhero genre.
In a recent interview with Business Insider, Caplan, who was slated to co-star with Tatum, described the project as possessing "a really cool idea." Tatum's long-pursued ambition to portray the beloved X-Men character appeared thwarted before his surprise cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine. The Gambit solo film was ultimately shelved following the 2019 Disney-Fox merger, leaving Tatum reportedly "traumatized" by the experience.
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Caplan confirmed her commitment to the film, stating that pre-production was underway and a start date was imminent. As far back as 2017, she was reported as the leading lady. "We got down the road, we were gonna shoot it," she shared. "I think there was a start date.”
Producer Simon Kinberg previously hinted at the film's comedic direction in a 2018 IGN interview, suggesting a "romantic or sex comedy vibe" fitting Gambit's character. "When you look at Gambit," Kinberg explained, "he’s a hustler and a womanizer and we just felt like there was an attitude, a swagger to him, that lent itself to romantic comedy."
Caplan corroborated this vision, stating, "They wanted to do, like, 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 X-Men's impending MCU integration. Last August, Ryan Reynolds' tweet of a high-quality Deadpool & Wolverine scene fueled fan speculation.
Warning! Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers follow.
