Channing Tatum has shared his deep appreciation for Ryan Reynolds after finally getting the chance to play Gambit on the big screen in Deadpool and Wolverine.This opportunity came after years of trying and failing to bring the character to life for 20th Century Fox.Tatum’s journey to become Gambit began years ago when he was originally set to play the character in ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine. ’ Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, he had to step away from the project, and the role ultimately went to Taylor Kitsch.
Later, Tatum signed on for a solo Gambit movie in 2014, which ended up in development hell and was officially canceled after Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019.Given this history, the opportunity to play Gambit in Deadpool and Wolverine meant a lot to Tatum.He expressed his gratitude on social media, saying he thought he had “lost” the character forever.
“These pictures are almost 10 years apart to the day,” Tatum wrote in a post featuring photos of himself with Reynolds at San Diego Comic-Con in 2014 and 2024.
I sat in the audience when Ryan Reynolds showed his first peek of Deadpool 1 to the world and I think I ran backstage right after and found him and I think I just hugged him and was like holy s**t you did it man.
It’s perfect. I didn’t know him really at all back then. But since then I can say that there is almost no one that has had my back in this industry more than [Ryan Reynolds].”He continued, “I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But he fought for me and Gambit. 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.”
Tatum also thanked director Shawn Levy for his work on the film, writing: “Truly such a brilliant creator on every single level.
All things happen for a reason. 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. LFG!!”
The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.
Next page
