The long-gestatingGambitmovie has just hit another huge snag. DirectorGore Verbinski, best known for his work on thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise, has exited the project. Not much is known about the details of his departure at this time, but “scheduling issues” were cited and it’s said to be amicable. Even if that’s true, and considering how close this movie is to production, this represents a major problem for Fox, while nobody has said this is happening yet, it’s possible the movie could be delayed, depending on how this all shakes out.
Channing Tatum, who has been attached to star inGambitfor several years and has beenproducing it as a passion project, is still on board. Now it’s just a matter of finding a new director. The fact that this is the third director to exit theX-Menspin-off is a bit troubling at this point. Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) was originally attached to direct. After he bailed, Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow) spent a period of time attached to direct, but then he left as well. Then, finally, Gore Verbinski was brought on board last year, but now he too is gone.
Even though there’s no indication there was anydrama behind-the-scenes, there’s a pattern developing with this movie. Fox has already locked down a July 28, 2025, release date forGambit. That means it needs to begin shooting soon in order to make that release date. Previous reports state that theX-Menmovie was expected to start shooting in March, but it’s easy to imagine that may change by the time they find a new director. Whoever that may be.
Beyond Channing Tatum’s involvement, we know that Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex) is on board to play the female lead inGambit. No official plot details have been revealed, but we’ve heard that it may be anOcean’s Elevenstyle heist movie, with otherX-Mencharacters set to appear and help thecard-throwing Cajunwith the heist. Though, it’s very possible that those details are no longer accurate, even if they once were, as this movie has changed quite a bit during the long development process.
So, who should directGambitat this point? Not that there’s any indication they’re up for the job, but Phil Lord and Chris Miller haven’t, as far as we know, signed on for another directing gig since being fired fromSolo: A Star Wars Story. They seem like a good fit for something like this. Josh Zetumer (Quantum of Solace,Patriot’s Day), according toDeadline’sreport, wrote the script for theGambitmovie. Though, there were several drafts of the script, and it reportedly changed quite a bit after the success ofDeadpoolandLogan. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date as more details on the project are made available.
