When a project gets stuck in production hell, it can be hard for it to escape. However, it looks like the X-men solo film Gambit is finally gaining some traction. With a new title, new release date, and a new director, things might be looking up for this film first announced in 2015.
Starring Channing Tatum as the titular character, the film has officially received the now coveted Valentine’s Day slot, a decision likely influenced by Deadpool‘s excellent opening weekend figures. According to Omega Underground, the film’s working title, according to a production sheet, is “Chess” which could be an interesting allusion to the importance of the character in the larger franchise or to his namesake.
The film has also scored Gore Verbinski as director, the same man responsible for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies (for better or worse). There’s no details on the plot (besides it being potentially a heist movie) or the rest of the cast, but Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux are both rumored for to play Mr. Sinister and Bella Donna, respectively. Other than that, everything remains up in the air, though that may not necessarily be a bad thing given its extended down-time.
20th Century Fox has a slew of other X-Men and X-Men related titles coming up in 2018: The New Mutants on April 13, Deadpool 2 on June 1, and X-Men: Dark Phoenix on November 2.
Gambit is set to premiere in theaters on February 14, 2019.
