Channing Tatum’s Gambit: A dream realized in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’
A long-awaited role
Channing Tatum’s journey to embody the superhero Gambit has been a long and winding road. After years of trying to develop a standalone Gambit film during Fox’s Marvel era, Tatum finally got his chance in the blockbuster “Deadpool & Wolverine”. The role holds such significance for him that he recently admitted in an interview that he was too scared to ask to take the Gambit costume home after filming wrapped.
“I was too scared to ask,” Tatum confessed. “And usually, I steal the very last outfit that I’m in, in every movie, and I was too scared to do it on this one.”
The Cajun accent: A deliberate choice
One of the running jokes in “Deadpool & Wolverine” is Gambit’s thick Cajun accent, with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool humorously asking, “Who’s your dialect coach? The Minions?” Tatum explained that the criticism of his accent was intentional and part of the character’s charm.
“There was very little improv. The Cajun dialect is a very particular one,” Tatum shared. “I grew up in Mississippi and my dad is from New Orleans. So it’s one of those things that I grew up around it, but I’ve never done it. There are certain little isms that are very Cajun-y, but we actually intended it to be somewhat unintelligible. That was sort of the joke.”
Behind the scenes with Ryan Reynolds
Tatum also revealed that Ryan Reynolds played a significant role in shaping Gambit’s accent and overall performance.
“[Ryan would] come up to me and say, ‘I don’t want to know anything that you’re saying on this [take],’ so I just dialed it all the way up,” Tatum added. “And then other ones he’s like, ‘All right, I’ve got to understand what you’re saying now.'”
An emotional milestone
After “Deadpool & Wolverine” shattered box office records during its opening weekend, Tatum took to social media to express his gratitude and emotions about finally playing Gambit on the big screen.
“I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But [Reynolds] fought for me and Gambit,” he wrote. “I will owe him probably forever. Cause I’m not sure how I could ever do something that would be equal to what this has meant to me. I love ya buddy…I’m so grateful to be in this movie. It’s a masterpiece in my opinion. And just pure bad ass joy. I was literally screaming in the theater.”
The future of Gambit
In a later interview, Tatum admitted that he still harbors hopes of making a standalone Gambit movie.
“I’ve been saying I want it for the last 10 years. It’s in Bob Iger and Kevin Feige’s hands. I pray to God.”
Watch the trailer
For those eager to see Tatum’s portrayal of Gambit, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is now playing in theaters nationwide. You can watch the trailer here.
Final thoughts
Channing Tatum’s dedication to the role of Gambit is a testament to his passion for the character and the superhero genre. His journey from aspiring to play Gambit to finally realizing that dream in “Deadpool & Wolverine” is an inspiring story for fans and aspiring actors alike. The film not only showcases Tatum’s talent but also highlights the collaborative spirit of filmmaking, with Ryan Reynolds playing a pivotal role in bringing Gambit to life.
For more insights and behind-the-scenes stories, watch Tatum’s full interview with Vanity Fair in the video below.