(Video courtesy of AMC Theatres)
While the news may not come as surprise to some, the casting of Channing Tatum as Gambit took the comic book world by storm. Despite not being a popular choice it is definitely the right one.
Tatum will be joining Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Fassbender in the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse which is set for release in 2016. In addition, there will also be a solo film based on Gambit, which will likely focus on his origins.
So, can Channing Tatum tackle the role of a superhero? Taking into account Tatum’s extensive catalog of films he most certainly can.
Gambit is a smooth and slick individual, and that plays right into Channing’s strengths. He plays it cool in his movies, whether it be a womanizing stripper or a street-thug turned ballet dancer, he always manages to make us believe his acting.
In addition to the slick stylings of Gambit, Tatum also possess the characters innate ability to fight, very similar to Duke, the character he played in GI Joe.
Gambit also has a wide array of powers that could make this role something new for Tatum. Gambit has the ability to create, control and manipulate kinetic energy, which enables him to control people and their mind. He also has a knack for his crazy card-throwing, which is what many fans associate with Gambit.
This is not the first time Gambit will appear in movie theaters. The role of Gambit was previously played by actor Taylor Kitsch, who portrayed the popular mutant in the 2009 film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It was widely assumed that Kitsch was the favorite to reprise his role, but the studio ultimately went in another direction.
To separate his portrayal of Gambit from Kitsch’s, Tatum has made a serious efforts to speak in Gambit’s signature Cajun dialect, and it’s this dedication that makes X-Men producer, Lauren Shuler Donner, believe that Tatum is the right guy for the job.
“Well you know he’s a rogue, Channing. He’s a rascal, just like Remy LeBeau, and he can handle the action, we all know that. He’s got a really good heart, because I know him personally, I did a movie with him. So I think he’ll be great, he’ll be great for Gambit, and he’s a southerner too, he’s not from New Orleans but he is a southerner and he understands that world, and you know Gambit loves New Orleans.”
Tatum is a versatile actor that has proven he can not only take many different roles, but can also be a box office draw. While Tatum might not be the most popular choice for Gambit, he is absolutely prepared to take on the role