Channing Tatum: “I was dying to play Gambit”

April 16, 2009 by Jane Boursaw

It’s a high-class problem when you’ve got so many movies going that you can’t fit another one into the schedule.

Such was the case for Channing Tatum, who says he’s seriously bummed that he didn’t get to play Gambit in the upcoming “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” due to scheduling conflicts. Instead, the part went to Taylor Kitsch, whom I’m sure will do a fantastic job in the role.

Tatum will be in theaters this summer in “Fighting,” “Public Enemies,” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” But the comic-book fan says Gambit has always been near and dear to his heart.

“Man, I was dying to play [Gambit],” Tatum told MTV News. “My dad’s from Louisiana, and I think I’ve always just gravitated towards Gambit, in general. He’s just cooler than anything to me.”

Tatum nearly got the chance when he was almost cast as Gambit’s alter ego, Remy LeBeau, in Brett Ratner’s “X-Men: The Last Stand.” The character was dropped at the last minute.

When the role surfaced again for “Wolverine,” Tatum couldn’t work it out with his packed schedule. He says of Taylor Kitsch: “I’m really interested to see how the guy plays him, because I have a pretty clear version of Gambit in my head. I’m sure the guy is going to be great, though.”

Who do you think would make a better Gambit – Channing Tatum or Taylor Kitsch? Share your thoughts below.