Channing Tatum’s Canceled Gambit Movie Had a '30s Screwball Romantic Comedy Vibe Set in the Superhero World

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 abandoned project as possessing "a really cool idea." Tatum's long-pursued dream of portraying the beloved 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 far back as 2017, detailing meetings with Tatum and stating, "We got down the road, we were gonna shoot it. I think there was a start date." Producer Simon Kinberg previously echoed this romantic comedy angle in a 2018 IGN interview, highlighting Gambit's "hustler and womanizer" persona as a natural fit for the genre.

Caplan corroborated Kinberg's statement, adding, "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 showcasing a high-quality version of a Deadpool & Wolverine scene reignited fan speculation.

Warning! Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers follow.