After years stuck in production hell, Gambit may finally start filming with word that the movie has a working title. A few years back, news began emerging that Fox was in the market for a solo film focusing on popular X-Men character Gambit. With the prospect of Hugh Jackman finally leaving the role of Wolverine, the studio needed a new lead to anchor the franchise, and the charismatic, card-throwing mutant seemed like the perfect fit. But after casting Channing Tatum in the lead role, the film hasn't managed to make any other progress.
Like DC's The Flash, Gambit hasn't been able to hold onto a director. Despite the fanbase, the X-Men franchise's success, and Tatum's undeniable star power, the film just can't seem to get made. And a few months ago, word broke that the entire narrative was starting over from scratch. The move seems to have finally helped the film click as just last week we learned that Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski may take over the film. Now, it looks like filming could be just around the corner.
Omega Underground is reporting that Gambit has a working title, the appropriately chosen 'Chess.' Naturally, the name doesn't hint at much beyond alluded to Remy LeBeau's nom de plume and penchant for gambling. What the title does reveal, however, is that production could be on the verge of starting.
It would certainly be unusual for a film to get a working title before it was set to start shooting. Of course, it would also be strange for a film to begin production with no confirmation of a director. Even then, pre-production would need to come first, with the director and crew assembling to craft story boards and go location scouting.
If the report is true, though, it could mean Verbinski is already on board. While even that news is still a rumor, it wouldn't be surprising. After all, it's been strange how much trouble this film has had in the first place. After Logan and Deadpool, Fox is riding high. And though Gambit doesn't have the same fanbase as the Merc with the Mouth, his solo film certainly isn't the biggest risk for Fox's Marvel franchise.
As we wait for more news on Gambit, we've been learning a lot more about what it will deal with lately. Tatum has teased that his character will have an actual culture that will be touched on in the film. Meanwhile, a rumored draft of the script contained all sorts of connections to the rest of the X-Men universe. There's no telling what the final film will look like, but we could be closer than ever to Gambit finally becoming a reality.
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Source: Omega Underground
