Channing Tatum's involvement in Fox's Marvel Universe may be in jeopardy as his deal with the studio has fallen apart according to The Wrap. The Magic Mike star was in talks to star as Gambit, the kinetic powered card slinging Cajun from the X-Men universe. However it now seems he is dangerously close to walking away from the role entirely.
Earlier this month, Tatum took the stage at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con together with the rest of Fox's X-Men stars to drum up hype for the growing cinematic universe which, aside from Gambit, features X-Men: Apocalypse, The newly rebooted Fantastic Four, and a third Standalone Wolverine project.
According to The Wrap's report, Tatum has long viewed 'Gambit' as a passion project. Aside from the lead role, he and his producing partner Reid Carolin were also signed on as producers. His high profile support for the role is what encouraged 20th Century Fox to speed up production of the film. It was given a release date of October 7, 2016 but that now may be put into question following this revelation.
The Wrap also mentions that Fox was already in the process of casting Tatum's female co-star. Rising French starlet Lea Seydoux, of Blue is the Warmest Colour fame, was one of the names mentioned on a shortlist of possible candidates. Rupert Wyatt is attached to direct the film which is based off a script from Robocop scribe Josh Zetumer.
To make it clear, the door has not yet officially shut on Tatum and X-Men. This may all just be a slight bump in negotiations and the movie may soon be back on track.
Tatum will next be seen in this Christmas release "The Hateful Eight", in which he stars alongside Samuel L Jackson and Kurt Russell. The 35-year-old actor will also co-star George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson in "Hail Caesar" which will arrive in the US on February 5, 2016.
