Summary
- Channing Tatum finally portrayed Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, but he wasn't completely comic-accurate.
- Gambit's black-and-red eyes are very important to his development in Marvel Comics, but have never been seen in live-action.
- Marvel Studios could adapt a more comic-accurate version of Gambit in the MCU's future.
One of the most important physical aspects of Marvel's Gambit was completely ignored in Deadpool & Wolverine, just as it was in his previous live-action adaptation back in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. After almost two decades of almost appearing as Gambit in Fox's X-Men franchise, Channing Tatum finally got the chance to bring the Cajun mutant into the solo Gambit movie in the MCU, but something was still missing.
Remy LeBeau, a.k.a. Gambit, has been one of Marvel Comics' most popular and beloved mutant characters since his first appearance in 1990's The Uncanny X-Men Annual #14. Gambit's mutation allows him to charge objects with kinetic energy and use them as explosive projectiles, with his favorite weapon being the simple playing card. Channing Tatum was perfect for this role, and it was great to see Deadpool & Wolverine pay off his age-old dreams of playing Gambit, but it was a shame that he wasn't entirely comic-accurate.
Gambit Doesn’t Have Black & Red Eyes In Deadpool & Wolverine
Most Of Gambit's Deadpool & Wolverine Costume Was Comic-Accurate, But Not His Eyes
Channing Tatum sported a comic-accurate costume as Deadpool & Wolverine, fit with the headband, trench coat, purple accents and silver boots. However, Deadpool & Wolverine's Gambit wasn't seen with the character's recognizable black-and-red eyes from Marvel Comics, rather with the more-human look of Tatum's own eyes. This was a tiny physical change, but could have a huge impact on Gambit's backstory, as his unique eye color is very important to his evolution into a hero in Marvel Comics.
While the bulk of Gambit's superhuman gifts are invisible, his mutation also granted him this unorthodox eye color. Gambit was born with black-and-red eyes, rather than this transformation happening when his mutant ability emerged, and this coloring became very important for his early life among the LeBeau Clan Thieves' Guild and his eventual development into a member of the X-Men. Removing this eye color in Deadpool & Wolverine might seem insignificant, but this was actually the second time this critical physical attribute has been ignored in live-action.
Channing Tatum originally auditioned to play Gambit in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, but the role was cut. He was then set to appear in a solo Gambit movie which remained in development hell for years, and was ultimately canceled following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Got Gambit’s Appearance Completely Wrong
Taylor Kitsch Portrayed Gambit In X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Long before Channing Tatum finally made his debut as Gambit, Taylor Kitsch portrayed the Cajun mutant in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This version of Gambit was even less faithful to the Marvel Comics character, which contributed to Kitsch's iteration receiving some criticism. Aside from subtle purple accents on his costume, Kitsch's Gambit wore clothing not at all reminiscent of the character's Marvel Comics roots, and he was also stripped of the hero's iconic black-and-red eyes to boot.
It might have been jarring to see Gambit in a comic-accurate costume with his black-and-red eyes in the dark and somewhat-grounded X-Men Origins: Wolverine. None of the other mutants featured in the 2009 prequel wore their comic-accurate suits, following on from the original X-Men trilogy, which put the titular team in black leather rather than their colorful comic outfits. Gambit had a small role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, so his eyes didn't make much difference, but it's still a shame that they've never been depicted in live-action.
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Gambit is one of the most popular mutants in the ranks of the X-Men, so getting his casting just right for the MCU is of the utmost importance.
Why Gambit’s Striking Eyes Are Important In Marvel Comics
Gambit Was Born With His Black & Red Eyes In Marvel Comics
While changing the color of a character's eyes might seem like an inconsequential change to be made in a live-action adaptation, Gambit's black-and-red eyes actually play a huge role in his evolution into a hero. Upon being born with these striking eyes, Remy LeBeau was kidnapped from hospital and was raised with the LeBeau Clan Thieves' Guild. The Guild referred to him as "Le Diable Blanc" - the White Devil - because of his dark eyes, and they believed that he was prophesized to unite the warring Thieves' and Assassins' Guilds.
This is a pretty significant physical detail to omit from his live-action adaptations.
Had Gambit not had his black-and-red eyes, the Thieves' Guild perhaps wouldn't have stolen him, and he would have been raised by a regular family. Gambit's time with the Thieves' Guild led him into the employ of Mister Sinister, saw him establish the Marauders, and eventually become a member of the X-Men after helping Storm. Without his distinctive eye color, Gambit might never have become a member of the X-Men, so this is a pretty significant physical detail to omit from his live-action adaptations.
Will Gambit Ever Have His Black & Red Eyes In The MCU?
Gambit Could Be Reinvented For The MCU's X-Men Reboot
Indeed, both Taylor Kitsch and Channing Tatum's Gambit's eyes did illuminate while they were using their mutant abilities, but they reverted to "normal" when the hero relaxed again. If a new version of Gambit is introduced in the MCU's X-Men reboot, it would be great to see him have his black-and-red eyes permanently, just as he does in Marvel Comics. Gambit's intricate backstory has never been explored in live-action, so it would be great to see his time with the Thieves' Guild detailed in full, all because of his striking eyes.
The Best Part About Channing Tatum's Gambit In Deadpool & Wolverine Makes A Solo Movie Nearly Impossible
After stealing the scene in his MCU debut, many fans want Channing Tatum's Gambit to get a solo movie, but the hero's best part might rule that out.
It perhaps makes sense that Gambit's black-and-red eyes weren't included in Deadpool & Wolverine. The character was included to not only pay off years of Channing Tatum vying for the role, but also to provide some comedic moments as Ryan Reynolds' Wade Wilson repeatedly struggled to understand his Cajun accent. Featuring him with his black-and-red eyes would have eliminated some of this comedy, as Gambit could have become a purely dark character - not someone to be joked with. Even so, Marvel Studios should adapt Gambit more faithfully in the MCU's future.
Deadpool & Wolverine
- Release Date
- July 26, 2024
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
- Director
- Shawn Levy
Cast
Deadpool
Wolverine
WHERE TO WATCH
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
- Distributor(s)
- Disney
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