Summary
Gambit is a character that fans have wanted to see, given the live-action movie treatment for a long time. Channing Tatum has long since been linked with doing exactly that, and duringDeadpool & Wolverine, he gave audiences a taste of exactly what that would look like in a potentialX-Menmovie. However, up until this point, it has been nothing more than a tease for fans, although there is speculation he could be inAvengers: Doomsday.
People would like to see more of him moving forward because Tatum is a major Hollywood star, and the character is unique. Gambit has never been given the proper treatment in the live-action world of Marvel, but that doesn’t mean they should rush him back after an impressive appearance inDeadpool & Wolverine.
Gambit Is Linked To Avengers Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsdayis one of the biggest upcoming movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s something that’s going to see the stakes rise massively. Audiences will be out in their droves to watch this film, andMarvel Studios is stacking the castto verify it’s exciting. That has led to Gambit being linked to making an appearance as Marvel continues to prepare for mutants to become a key part of the storyline moving forward.
According to Alex Perez during a recent Q&A forThe Cosmic Circus, Gambit is expected to be part ofAvengers: Doomsdayalongside notable X-Men characters Charles Xavier and Beast. This is an interesting decision as it would begin to push the X-Men story into what Marvel is doing, potentially setting things up for even bigger ideas down the line once more mutant characters have been introduced.
Why Now Isn’t The Right Time
Even though he’s rumored to havea role inAvengers: Doomsday, that doesn’t mean that it would be the right call. Putting him in the film would certainly guarantee a lot of eyes on the character due to how many people are likely to watch the movie, but this is also a film that’s set to have a vast cast and one that will feature tons of different characters with big powers and personalities.
Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans are bothreturning to the MCUin a bid to be part of this movie, while the Fantastic Four are also set to be involved alongside many of the usual MCU heroes. That alone is a reason not to push Gambit into the film because there’s a good chance he will end up being lost in the shuffle as just another hero. That’s the opposite of what Marvel wants because it won’t make Gambit feel special, and that will hurt his potential for long-term progression.
He’s already been involved in a teamas part ofDeadpool & Wolverine, where he wasn’t one of the featured stars. Following that up again would feel like Marvel is throwing Gambit out there simply to tick a box. There’s unlikely to be a chance to progress his character or provide the necessary backstory to develop Gambit inAvengers: Doomsday, and that would be the second film in a row where that has happened. Marvel needs to make Gambit feel important because he can be a special part of the franchise, but it’s all about how he’s presented.
How He Can Be Important With The X-Men
Whenever Marvel launchesX-Men, there is going to be a lot of attention because seeing these characters in the MCU is something people have actively wanted for a long time. There’s an element of pressure that goes alongside that because people want to see those characters done right while also wanting it to be different from what has happened in the past to make it feel special.
Including Gambit inthe firstX-MenMCU moviewould be crucial in making that happen because it’s something different and also what people want to see. He’s got unique skills that other characters in theX-Menuniverse don’t possess, and providing that type of variety is going to be important for the franchise. On top of that, if Marvel continues to use Tatum in the role, it would likely provide an older character to go along with what is expected to be a slightly younger cast. He could, therefore, end up being one of the X-Men’s mentors and leaders, which would instantly make Gambit feel even more important.
The main reason he should be held off until the firstX-Menmovie is because this will allow Marvel to bring him into the MCU properly. His personality can be explored, and thebonds he has with other charactersand his backstory can all be developed properly. Gambit will be able to feel like an important part of the movie rather than just a character in the background, and after so many years of failed Gambit projects not getting off the floor, that’s exactly what people want to see from the character in the MCU.
