The Lost Marvel Gem: Edgar Wright’s Perspective
It’s the tale of what could’ve been in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – the elusive Gambit movie that never found its footing. Renowned filmmaker Edgar Wright has now shed light on why he didn’t take the directorial helm for the ill-fated project. In an exclusive with /Film, Simon Kinberg, the powerhouse behind various X-Men titles, said of Wright:
“He’s one of my favorite directors of all time and one of my favorite people, just a super great guy. Obviously a cinephile… I’ve chased Edgar for ‘X-Men’ movies. I’ve chased him for literally every possible thing. We have talked about every movie.”
So why didn’t Wright take on the Gambit movie? The answer, it seems, is quite simple. “Gambit wasn’t a character I knew too well,” Wright stated, adding,
“He appeared after my time reading Marvels — roughly 1985 — 1990 or so. [He] wasn’t one that I knew a lot about and hadn’t really read growing up, so it felt like it was someone else’s dream gig. Maybe he means more to people who watched the [animated] show? Which again, was after my time.”
The Tumultuous Journey of the Gambit Film
It wasn’t just Edgar Wright who took a pass on Gambit, which would’ve starred Channing Tatum in the lead role. Several big names in Hollywood, including Rupert Wyatt, Doug Liman, and Gore Verbinski, also briefly boarded the project but ended up disembarking due to scheduling conflicts and creative differences.
The narrative only grows more convoluted as time goes on. Kinberg reveals that Gambit faced numerous delays, not just because of the revolving door of directors but also due to the wobbly future of the X-Men cinematic universe after “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”
“We’ve got to spiritually, emotionally, kind of mentally let it go,” Tatum has been quoted saying about the entire ordeal.
The Future of Gambit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Hope isn’t lost for fans of the Cajun card-throwing mutant. With the X-Men finally getting ready for their MCU debut, the likelihood of seeing Gambit make his way onto the big screen is higher than ever. Whether he gets his own spin-off or joins the ranks as a supporting player, there’s room for Gambit in this reinvigorated universe.
Ultimately, the tale of Gambit’s unrealized cinematic odyssey is tinged with elements of ‘what could have been,’ especially considering the caliber of talent that almost took it on. And while Edgar Wright’s absence from the project can be considered a missed opportunity, the future looks promising for this enigmatic X-Men character.
If the MCU has taught us anything, it’s to never say never. Who knows? Maybe the Remy Etienne LeBeau we’ve been waiting for is just around the corner.
