Italian
Channing Tatum’s heartfelt gratitude for his ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ cameo
A decade in the making: Tatum’s journey to Gambit
Channing Tatum recently took to social media to express his profound gratitude to Ryan Reynolds for making his cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine a reality. Tatum’s heartfelt message highlighted the long and winding road that led to his portrayal of the beloved X-Men mutant, Gambit.
In his post, Tatum shared two poignant photos of himself and Reynolds at Comic-Con: one from nearly a decade ago when Reynolds first introduced Deadpool to the world, and another from the recent Comic-Con where the Deadpool & Wolverine cast surprised fans with their presence. These images encapsulate a journey filled with perseverance, friendship, and a shared passion for bringing comic book characters to life.
The lost dream of a standalone Gambit film
Tatum and his producing partner, Reid Carolin, spent four years developing a standalone Gambit film for 20th Century Fox. However, the project was shelved following the Disney-Fox merger in 2019. For Tatum, this was a significant setback, as he had invested considerable time and effort into bringing Gambit to the big screen.
Reflecting on this period, Tatum wrote, “I thought I had lost Gambit forever.” The disappointment was palpable, but the actor’s determination never wavered. His dream of playing Gambit was reignited thanks to Reynolds, who fought tirelessly to include Tatum’s character in Deadpool & Wolverine.
A bond forged in the fires of Hollywood
Tatum’s post also shed light on the deep bond he shares with Reynolds. “I sat in the audience when Ryan Reynolds showed his first peek of Deadpool 1 to the world,” Tatum reminisced. “I think I ran backstage right after and found him, and I just hugged him and was like, ‘Holy shit, you did it, man. It’s perfect.'”
This moment marked the beginning of a friendship that has grown stronger over the years. Tatum praised Reynolds for his unwavering support, stating, “There is almost no one that has had my back in this industry more than @VancityReynolds.” The camaraderie between the two actors is evident, and Tatum’s gratitude is heartfelt and sincere.
The brilliance of Shawn Levy
Tatum didn’t stop at praising Reynolds; he also lauded Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy. Calling Levy “truly such a brilliant creator on every single level,” Tatum expressed his admiration for the director’s vision and creativity. Levy’s direction has been instrumental in bringing the film to life, and Tatum’s appreciation for his work is clear.
A masterpiece of joy and badassery
For Tatum, Deadpool & Wolverine is more than just a film; it’s a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and passion. “I’m so grateful to be in this movie. It’s a masterpiece in my opinion. And just pure badass joy,” Tatum exclaimed. His excitement is palpable, and he even admitted to “literally screaming in the theater” during the film.
The actor’s enthusiasm is infectious, and his journey to finally playing Gambit is a testament to the power of perseverance and friendship. Tatum’s story is a reminder that dreams can come true, even if the path is fraught with obstacles.
Watch the trailer
For those eager to see Tatum’s portrayal of Gambit, you can watch the trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine here.
Deadpool & Wolverine is now playing in theaters, and Tatum’s heartfelt gratitude serves as a powerful reminder of the magic that can happen when passion, perseverance, and friendship come together in the world of cinema.
