Gambit: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Channing Tatum will be stepping into the role of X-Men superhero, Gambit, reports Total Film. The news was confirmed by the movie’s producer, Lauren Shuler Donner, who confirmed that talks with Tatum had finished “in the best possible way.” According to reports, Tatum had been lobbying for the part since September 2013. It’s not known when the next X-Men movie will commence filming.

Here’s what you need to know about Tatum’s character:

---

1. Tatum Will Take Over the Role From Taylor Kitsch

The role was last played on screen by Taylor Kitsch in the 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

---

2. Gambit is One of the Most Popular Characters in History

Gambit has been ranked 65 on IGN’s Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time. His blurb on the list reads:

At some point it was decided that one mysterious badass loner wasn’t enough for the X-Men, and Gambit arrived to back up Wolverine.

For some, Gambit’s presence on the team has always been redundant, but others have fallen in love with his swagger, charm, and dark past. Gambit is just the sort of tortured soul that X-readers love, and his continued presence in the TV and movie spinoffs cements his status as one of the greats.

---

3. He Throws Cards

Gambit’s powers include his ability to create and control kinetic energy. He’s incredibly intelligent and skilled with card throwing. The mutant is also partial to some hand-to-hand command.

---

4. There Could be Romance Between Tatum & Anna Paquin

Gambit is a proud Louisiana native. His full name is the Remy Etieene LeBeau. He speaks with a distinctive drawl, something Alabama-born Channing Tatum should be able to pick up. Gambit is also a ladies man who is secretly quite taken by Rogue, who is played by Anna Paquin in the latest X-Men: Days of Future Past.

---

5. Gambit Was Able to Kick the Habit

In the past, Gambit, along with Wolverine was a smoker. However, due to Marvel EIC Joe Quesada’s anti-smoking policy, this character trait was removed. In one comic book adventure with Wolverine, Gambit admitted to considering quitting smoking.