Now is probably a good time to accept that Channing Tatum is going to be part of the X-men franchise. After some months of speculation that the mysterious mutant thief Gambit would be getting his own solo film with the 21 Jump Street actor in the role, the project has been made official with the signing of Robocop writer Josh Zetumer to write the screenplay.
Tatum will not only star in the film but produce with his creative partner Reid Carolin, Lauren Shuler Donner, and Simon Kinberg. While the news that Tatum is playing one of the most popular X-men ever won't sit well with some, they may be appeased by knowing the story will be based on a treatment by legendary comics writer, Chris Claremont, who not only created Gambit but wrote the X-men's most memorable stories.
Gambit, aka Remy Lebeau, has the ability to charge any non-organic object with kinetic energy, causing it to explode. A world-renowned thief by nature, he's known for his charming Cajun accent and supernatural athletic ability, along with his on again/off again relationship with Rogue. As for when the film will shoot or who will direct, that much is unclear but Gambit is expected to appear in 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse. [Deadline]
