Channing Tatum Reveals Wild R-Rated Gambit Movie Disney Said "No Way" To

Channing Tatum is opening up about his unmade R-rated Gambit movie, complete with "mutants having sex," and giving us a peek into his return as the "Raging Cajun" in the epic Avengers: Doomsday.

TL;DR

• Channing Tatum's original solo Gambit movie at Fox was planned as an R-rated romantic comedy featuring "mutants having sex," which Disney ultimately wouldn't approve.
• Tatum's Gambit made his long-awaited debut in Deadpool & Wolverine and will return in Avengers: Doomsday, set for December 18, 2026.
• Tatum is hyping Avengers: Doomsday, promising surprises 50 times bigger than Blade's cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, with a huge ensemble cast.

Remembering the Gambit That Almost Was: "Mutants Having Sex!"

Alright, Marvel fans, buckle up because Channing Tatum just dropped some serious intel on his dream Gambit movie, and it sounds absolutely wild! Before Disney swooped in and brought all the X-Men characters under the Marvel Studios umbrella, Tatum had been trying for a decade to bring the charming Cajun mutant, Remy LeBeau, to the big screen in a solo flick. And boy, was his vision for that 20th Century Fox project something else.

Speaking to Variety and other outlets, Tatum shared that his original Gambit movie pitch was an "R-rated romantic comedy." But not just any R-rated comedy, mind you. He went on to say, "When I say R-rated, I mean we went for it. We made Gambit the kind of character who could only exist in a movie with Deadpool. We had mutants having sex! It was wild." Can you even imagine?

"If we’d made our Fox version, that script would’ve never gotten made — ever. It was an R-rated romantic comedy. And when I say R-rated, I mean we went for it. We made Gambit the kind of character who could only exist in a movie with Deadpool. We had mutants having sex! It was wild."

— Channing Tatum on his canceled Gambit movie

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your sensibilities!), the Disney acquisition of Fox put a definitive end to those plans. Tatum acknowledges that such a film, with its explicit sexual content, would "never" fly with Marvel and Disney. While Marvel has certainly pushed boundaries with R-rated content in recent years (hello, Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel Zombies, and Punisher), Tatum believes on-screen sex is still a bridge too far for the House of Mouse. He even points out that while Eternals had a sex scene and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ventured into horror, Disney generally avoids those themes. Still, he thinks Marvel needs that kind of "tonal diversity" and that Gambit could be a great opportunity for it. Here's hoping one day they "figure it out!"

Gambit's Long Journey to the Big Screen and His Beloved Accent

Before his awesome cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, Channing Tatum's journey to playing Gambit was a long and winding one. He was almost cast as Gambit in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, but the character was ultimately cut. Later, Taylor Kitsch took on the role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Tatum's decade-long commitment to a solo Gambit film shows just how much this character means to him.

His debut in Deadpool & Wolverine was a massive hit, which Tatum described as the "most high-stakes cosplay of all time" and an "out-of-body kid moment." Fans absolutely loved seeing him finally bring Remy LeBeau to life, complete with his signature Cajun charm and card-throwing skills. Even his accent, which was played for laughs, was a highlight.

However, when it comes to his role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, Tatum says they're dialing the accent back just a touch. He explained that Marvel wants to keep things funny but not "full Deadpool" for Gambit. The goal is to "keep the drama and keep it tight" for moments when "Gambit gets serious — when he drops the Mardi Gras mask — things do matter." It sounds like we'll get a balanced, more serious take on the character, while still retaining his iconic swagger.

Gearing Up for "Doomsday": What to Expect from Gambit and the MCU

So, the R-rated solo movie might not be happening (yet!), but Channing Tatum's Gambit is officially part of the MCU's massive future. He's set to return in Avengers: Doomsday, which promises to be an absolute game-changer. Tatum is not shy about hyping it up, teasing that fans are "just not ready for what's about to happen."

He even compared the shock value to Wesley Snipes' Blade cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, claiming Doomsday will be "that, but times 50!" Given the surprise appearances we've already seen in recent MCU films, and Kevin Feige confirming even more unannounced heroes, Tatum's words carry a lot of weight. Imagine moments that make your "brains ooze out of your ears" – that's the level of spectacle he's promising!

For Tatum, playing Gambit is clearly a dream come true. He revealed, "It was my favorite character growing up. I was the kid throwing playing cards at my friends in the living room when I was like in third grade." He loves Gambit for many reasons, calling him "the most real out of all of the X-Men." Why? Because Gambit "liked women, he smoked, he drank. His moral compass was very gray. He was never going to be a villain. He didn’t have the heart to be a villain, but he wasn’t exactly a hero, hero. And, I think that’s very human." This deep understanding of the character promises a nuanced portrayal in Doomsday that fans will surely appreciate.

A Star-Studded Lineup: Who's Joining Gambit in Avengers: Doomsday?

The hype for Avengers: Doomsday isn't just about Gambit. The film is bringing together an unprecedented roster of Marvel characters, both old and new, from various universes. The cast reveal alone generated over 275 million views, showing just how hungry fans are for this massive crossover event. While plot details are under wraps, we know the multiverse will be on the brink of collapse, with Doctor Doom playing a central role.

Here's a look at some of the incredible actors and characters confirmed to appear alongside Channing Tatum's Gambit:

• Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
• Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic
• Chris Hemsworth as Thor
• Anthony Mackie as Captain America
• Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm
• Paul Rudd as Ant-Man
• Florence Pugh as Yelena
• Tenoch Huerta as Namor
• Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
• Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes
• Letitia Wright as Black Panther
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Thing
• Kelsey Grammer as Beast (from the Fox X-Men era!)
• Lewis Pullman as Sentry
• Danny Ramirez as Falcon
• Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm
• David Harbour as Red Guardian
• Winston Duke as M’Baku
• Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost
• Tom Hiddleston as Loki
• Patrick Stewart as Professor X (another Fox X-Men legend!)
• Ian McKellen as Magneto (yes, Gandalf himself!)
• Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
• Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
• James Marsden as Cyclops

And that's not even counting the rumored appearances like a version of Ghost Rider, various Spider-Man variants (could we see Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield?!), and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. It's truly shaping up to be an unparalleled cinematic event. Tatum's simple endorsement, "Trust me, you're gonna like the Avengers movie," feels like an understatement.

The Future of Gambit: More Than Just a Supporting Player?

While Channing Tatum is thrilled to be part of the MCU and specifically Avengers: Doomsday, he hasn't given up on the idea of a solo Gambit movie. "If the fans really want it, I think there’s a world where Gambit could finally get his due," he reiterated. With Gambit now firmly established in the Marvel psyche thanks to his Deadpool & Wolverine appearance and upcoming Doomsday role, the door is certainly open for more.

Marvel Studios has shown a willingness to embrace diverse tones and content, especially with the success of R-rated entries. While the "mutants having sex" vision might remain a pipe dream, a stylish, R-rated, romantic comedy that focuses on Gambit's unique charm, swagger, and morally gray adventures could absolutely find a home within the expanding MCU. After all, if anyone can make a compelling case for it, it's Channing Tatum, a true fan who's waited decades to embody his favorite character.

As Avengers: Doomsday approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting any morsel of information. Rumor has it we might even get the first official teaser trailer in December, possibly playing before screenings of Avatar: Fire and Ash. Until then, we'll just have to keep imagining what "times 50" truly means and get ready for the "Raging Cajun" to steal the show!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Gambit and Avengers: Doomsday Answered!

When does Avengers: Doomsday come out?

Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to hit theaters globally on December 18, 2026.

Will Gambit have a solo movie in the MCU?

There are no official plans for a solo Gambit movie in the MCU at this time. However, Channing Tatum has expressed strong interest and hopes that if fans want it, Marvel Studios might "figure it out" one day. His upcoming role in Avengers: Doomsday could pave the way for future appearances.

What was Channing Tatum's original R-rated Gambit movie idea?

Channing Tatum's original vision for a solo Gambit movie under 20th Century Fox was an "R-rated romantic comedy" that he described as "wild," explicitly mentioning "mutants having sex." This version was ultimately scrapped after Disney acquired Fox.

Who else is confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday?

A massive ensemble cast is confirmed, including Robert Downey Jr. (Doctor Doom), Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Vanessa Kirby (Susan Storm), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Florence Pugh (Yelena), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), and many Fox-era X-Men like Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), and James Marsden (Cyclops).

Sources

• Multiple recent interviews with Channing Tatum via Variety, Entertainment Tonight, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, IGN, CBR, The Mary Sue, GeekTyrant, and ComingSoon.net.