Channing Tatum likely to join X-Men franchise

The actor is in talks to be cast in the role of Gambit.

Channing Tatum made girls swoon and hearts flutter when he made his acting debut in 2006 movie She’s The Man alongside Amanda Bynes. The former model has been in the spotlight ever since, with a wide range of roles encompassing a number of genres. The actor has starred in Step Up, The Vow, and has played the role of GI Joe. Now, he may be joining one of Hollywood’s most profitable franchises.

Tatum says he might be staring in an upcoming X-Men film, as he’s been meeting with producers about taking on the role of Gambit. The 21 Jump Street star has admitted he’s been meeting with producers of the sci-fi films, and has been discussing the possibility of taking on the role of Gambit, who he says he relates to because of their shared heritage, reports contactmusic.com.

“I met with Lauren Shuler Donner (the producer of X-Men). And I would love it. Gambit is really the only X-Man I’ve ever loved,” he said.

Gambit, a Marvel character who appeared in 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, was previously played by Taylor Kitsch, and is often referred to as a ladies man. The mutant has the power to manipulate kinetic energy, and is shown to be fiercely proud of his Louisiana heritage.

“I mean I’ve loved them all, they’re all great, but I guess from being down south - my dad’s from Louisiana, I’m from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida - I don’t know. I just relate to him,” Tatum added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2014.

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