Lizzy Caplan Dishes on Axed Gambit Film: ‘It Had a Screwball Rom-Com Vibe’
The X-Men franchise has seen its fair share of ups and downs, from breakout hits like Logan and X2 to forgettable flops like X-Men: Dark Phoenix. But one of the most intriguing projects that never came to fruition was Gambit, which was set to star Channing Tatum as the fan-favorite Cajun mutant. Details about the abandoned film have been revealed over the years, and actress Lizzy Caplan, who was set to play a supporting role, recently shared new insights into the film’s unique tone, describing it as “kind of a crazy romantic comedy.”
A Long Road to Nowhere: The Gambit Movie’s Troubled Development
To say that Gambit has had a rough go of it would be an understatement. Originally announced in 2014, the film was intended to give Remy LeBeau, aka Gambit, his much-deserved big-screen role after Taylor Kitsch’s brief turn in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009). Channing Tatum, a huge Gambit fan, was set to star and produce. However, the film languished in development hell, going through a series of directors, including Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow), and Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean).
Despite the constant setbacks, Tatum remained committed to the project. The film was originally scheduled for a 2016 release, but production delays, creative differences, and ultimately Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 led to its cancellation. When the dust settled, the X-Men were folded into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), essentially ending any chance of Gambit ever seeing the light of day.
Lizzy Caplan and Channing Tatum
Lizzy Caplan’s Take on the Gambit Movie
Lizzy Caplan, known for her roles in Mean Girls, Masters of Sex, and Fatal Attraction, was one of the actors who was attached to star in Gambit before it was canceled. In a recent interview, Caplan revealed some surprising details about the tone of the film, describing it as more of a crazy romantic comedy than a traditional superhero movie.
“It’s really fun and different from what people expect from a superhero movie,” Caplan said. “It has the energy of a classic crazy romantic comedy, but with big, wild sets and action sequences.”
A Different Kind of Superhero Movie
Caplan’s revelation suggests that Gambit is looking to break away from the usual superhero mold. Rather than the darker, more serious tone that has defined much of the X-Men franchise, Gambit will lean toward humor, romance, and playfulness. Screwball comedies, which were popular in Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s, were known for their fast-paced dialogue, witty banter, and romantic tension between their leads. Films like Bringing Up Baby and His Girl Friday exemplify this style, and it’s easy to see why a charming, mischievous character like Gambit would thrive in such a setting.
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Channing Tatum’s Passion for the Role
For Channing Tatum, Gambit was a passion project. The actor has expressed his deep love for the character and even learned a Cajun dialect to bring authenticity to his role.
Tatum envisioned Gambit as a film that would combine action, comedy, and romance in a way that had never been done before in the superhero genre. “We wanted to do something different, something unexpected,” he said in an interview before the project was shelved. “It was supposed to be sexy, fun, and energetic.”
Tatum’s dedication was so strong that he reportedly considered directing the film himself. However, Disney’s acquisition of Fox in 2019 sealed the deal, as Marvel Studios had its own plans for the X-Men and was unlikely to greenlight a film that didn’t fit into its larger vision.
With superhero movies increasingly struggling to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace, a film like Gambit could be a refreshing change of pace. The genre has long relied on familiar narrative tropes—origin stories, apocalyptic events, and the hero’s journey—but films that stray from the norm often succeed.
For example, Deadpool (2016) turned the superhero genre on its head with R-rated humor and self-aware satire. Logan (2017) went full neo-Western, telling a realistic, poignant story about aging and death. If Gambit leans into its crazy comedic roots, it could stand out as a unique and memorable entry into the X-Men universe.
While Tatum’s Gambit may never see the light of day, the character himself is far from forgotten. Now that the X-Men are under the control of Marvel Studios, it’s only a matter of time before Remy LeBeau is introduced into the MCU. The question remains: Will Marvel stick to the usual superhero formula, or will it take inspiration from what Tatum and his team are trying to do?
With the success of quirky superhero movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool, there’s reason to believe that Marvel could embrace the comedic and romantic elements of Gambit. The character’s charm, wit, and unique abilities make him a prime candidate for a different kind of superhero story—one that isn’t afraid to mix action with humor and romance.
Lizzy Caplan’s insight into Gambit as a crazy romantic comedy added a layer of intrigue to what could have been. The film’s unique blend of humor, action, and romance could have set it apart from the usual superhero fare, offering audiences something new and unexpected.
While fans may never see Channing Tatum don a cape and wield a deck of exploding cards, the dream of a Gambit movie lives on. Whether or not Marvel will eventually revisit the concept remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the character’s potential to shine on the big screen remains as strong as ever.
