Channing Tatum’s Gambit: A Solo Movie That Won’t Deal a Winning Hand
Even before the Marvel Universe officially welcomed mutants, Channing Tatum was tapped to play the charismatic Gambit. His brief but memorable appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine reignited fan clamor for a standalone Gambit film. While Tatum’s charm and passion are undeniable, a solo Gambit movie might be a gamble Marvel should avoid.
“Ever since Channing Tatum stole all of his scenes in Deadpool & Wolverine, fans have been clamoring for him to have a solo Gambit movie" says Chris Snellgrove, highlighting the excitement surrounding Tatum’s portrayal. However, the enthusiasm doesn’t translate into a guaranteed box office win.
One major concern is Tatum’s age. At 44, he’s approaching the limit for a character traditionally depicted as younger. While Tatum remains physically fit ("just ask Magic Mike fans," Snellgrove quips ), .) Marvel’s commitment to lengthy contracts means a Gambit movie would need to carry Tatum through at least a decade, potentially creating an awkward age gap between him and other, younger X-Men.
Further complicating matters is the fact that Disney is aiming to introduce a fresh wave of youthful mutant heroes to the MCU. Introducing a rogueish Gambitt nearly twice the age of newcomers like Rogue would seem jarring.
“Speaking of younger stars, it’s worth remembering that Disney is preparing to unleash its merry band of mutants onto the MCU…If Rogue is played by someone in her 20s, it would be embarrassingly awkward to have her (Le)beau be someone nearly twice her age.”
Beyond the age issue, Gambit’s personality thrives in ensemble settings.
His quick wit and flamboyant charm shine brightest when bouncing off established comedic partners like Wolverine or Rogue. “But let’s say that having another middle-aged guy in the team of youngsters makes sense…even then, Channing Tatum’s Gambit movie is still dead in the water," Snellgrove argues. "That’s because Gambit is best as part of an ensemble where his larger-than-life personality can bounce off of others…It’s fun to see him flirt with Rogue or annoy Wolverine, but without the other colorful characters, Gambit is a guy with a barely-decipherable accent and a party trick set of mutant abilities.”
Marvel’s own history supports this view. Gambit’s solo comics haven’t consistently found success, often overshadowed by his more popular team-up adventures. A standalone film might struggle to translate his charm into a compelling story worthy of a blockbuster.
“Real talk: if this character can’t sustain enough interest from his biggest fans to keep a solo title going, he will never generate enough interest among general audiences to make a big-budget film into a blockbuster success,” Snellgrove concludes.
The final hurdle is Gambit’s lackluster origin story. "A movie about the machinations of the Thieves’ Guild and Assassin’s Guild might have plenty of interesting lore for superfans to consume, but it wouldn’t have the zing general audiences expect from a franchise filled with killer set pieces and countless explosions. Forget about aliens attacking New York…this would be a movie about two-bit thieves backstabbing each other in New Orleans, and that is unlikely to win over moviegoers already reeling from superhero fatigue”
While Tatum’s enthusiasm for the role is clear, a Gambit solo movie risks burying its star under a poorly chosen origin story. Perhaps Tatum’s talents would be better served in a supporting role, allowing another, younger vita lien to take center stage in their own mutant odyssey.
