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 popular X-Men character appeared thwarted before his surprise cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine. The Gambit film's development was ultimately halted following the 2019 Disney-Fox merger, leaving Tatum reportedly "traumatized" by the experience.
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Caplan confirmed her commitment to the film as early as 2017, detailing meetings with Tatum and the film's proximity to production. "We got down the road, we were gonna shoot it," she stated. "I think there was a start date.”
Producer Simon Kinberg previously hinted at the film's comedic direction in a 2018 IGN interview, describing a "romantic or sex comedy vibe" fitting Gambit's character. Kinberg noted Gambit's "hustler and womanizer" persona as lending 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 imminent MCU arrival. Last August, Ryan Reynolds' tweet featuring a high-quality version of a previously unclear Deadpool & Wolverine scene ignited further fan speculation.
Warning! Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers follow.
