Summary
Channing Tatum’s portrayal of Gambit inDeadpool & Wolverinewas a long-awaited appearance for the beloved mutant, featuring a thrilling costume that recalls the character’sMarvelComics history. Much like co-star Ryan Reynolds and his fervent attempts to produce theDeadpoolmovies, Channing Tatum campaigned for years to make and star in aGambitmovie. Unlike Reynolds, Tatum’s attempts were far less successful, though he did make an exciting cameo inDeadpool & Wolverine, bringing the Ragin’ Cajun and his iconic outfit intothe MCU timeline.
Channing Tatum’sGambitmoviefirst entered development back in 2014, with Tatum not only cast in the lead role but also positioned as a producer. However, the project faced numerous delays and obstacles, including script rewrites, changes in directors, and the disappointing depiction inX-Men Origins: Wolverine. While Gambit’s appearance inDeadpool & Wolverinemight not have been the full solo adventure audiences had hoped for, it offered a glimpse of what could have been as hejoined the MCU.
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How Channing Tatum’s Gambit Costume Compares To Marvel Comics
Gambit, aka Remy LeBeau, is one of the most visually striking X-Men, who first appeared inUncanny X-Men#266 in 1990. Known for his signature trench coat, staff, and charged playing cards, his classic costume combines elements of sleekness and mystique, befitting his role as a suave thief. Tatum’s costume inDeadpool & Wolverinehews closely to Gambit’s comic book look, blending elements of his classic design with more modern updates.
Tatum’s Gambit sports the iconic long brown trench coat, which has become synonymous with the character. Underneath the coat, Tatum wears a form-fitting, black and pinkish-purple armored bodysuit,faithful to Gambit’s magenta body armorthat complemented his sleek physique. Tatum also donned Gambit’s headgear, complete with his trademark swooping hair poking out of the top. The blue chest plate is also highly accurate compared to the comics.
One notable departure from the classic design is the addition of silver leg armor, which has appeared in more recent comic book versions of the character. Gambit’s earlier costumes often featured blue leg armor, while Tatum’s version opts for a more metallic look. This update likely reflects the tendency to adapt comic book costumes witha more tactical, practical approach for live-action films. Regardless, Channing Tatum’s Gambit costume was an absolute triumph in adapting comic-accurate costumes.
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Channing Tatum’s Gambit Costume Is Much More Accurate Than Taylor Kitsch’s
The only other live-action depiction of Gambit comes fromX-Men Origins: Wolverine(2009), where Taylor Kitsch portrayed the character. The reception to both the film and Kitsch’s portrayal was mixed and is oftencited for wasting the hero, along with most other characters depicted. One of the key criticisms of Kitsch’s Gambit was the lack of fidelity to the character’s classic costume from the comics.
Kitsch’s version of Gambit sported a far more subdued and relatively realistic look, opting for a black trench coat rather than the character’s classic brown. Kitsch also wore a purple shirt, with minimal accessories. While thecolor palette alluded to Gambit’s comic book roots, the costume lacked the distinctive chest plate and armored elements that viewers associate with the character. Instead of his iconic magenta bodysuit, Kitsch’s Gambit was dressed in more typical streetwear, making him appear less like a superhero and more like a regular guy with a deck of cards.
This decision was likely made to fit the grittier, more grounded tone ofX-Men Origins: Wolverine, but it ultimatelystripped Gambit of much of his visual identity. In contrast, Channing Tatum’s costume inDeadpool & Wolverineleans into the flamboyance and style of the character, without shying away from his more eccentric comic book design. Where Kitsch’s Gambit felt like a toned-down version of the character, Tatum’s portrayal embraces the larger-than-life quality that many have long associated with Gambit, making it a far more comic-accurate representation.
How Channing Tatum’s Gambit Costume Compares To X-Men Animated Series
For many, the definitive version of Gambit comes fromX-Men: The Animated Series(1992–1997), where the character became a fan favorite due to his charismatic personality and iconic appearance. The show’s rendition of Gambitfeatured many of his signature elements,including the long brown trench coat, black and pink body armor, and his staff. The vibrant colors and exaggerated features of the animated series made Gambit stand out, particularly in the minds of those who grew up watching the show. This appearance was later maintained in Disney’s revival,X-Men ‘97.
In terms of comparison, Tatum’s live-action Gambit closely mirrors this animated version, though with some adjustments to fit the live-action format. While the animated series featured a brighter and more exaggerated color scheme, Tatum’s costumeopts for slightly more muted colors, reflecting the darker, grittier tone of theDeadpoolandWolverinefranchises. The pink chest armor is still present, but it’s a more subdued shade, complementing the overall aesthetic of the film rather than clashing with the muted colors of the rest of the ensemble.
Additionally, the trench coat in Tatum’s costume is almost identical to the one featured inX-Men: The Animated Series, adding to the character’s sense of mystery and drama. However, one significant difference between the animated series and Tatum’s version is the silver leg armor, which does not appear in the cartoon. Tatum’s silver leg armor adds a more tactical, grounded element to the design,bringing it in line with modern superhero movie aesthetics.
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There’s 1 Thing Channing Tatum’s Gambit Look Misses Out On
While Tatum’s Gambit costume inDeadpool & Wolverineis largely a faithful adaptation of the comic book character, there’sone significant omission that ardent fans are likely to notice: his glowing red eyes. In early comic book appearances, Gambit’s eyes glow a bright red whenever he uses his powers. Later, this became a staple for his character, even adapted intoX-Men ’97.The glowing red eyes are often the most visually striking aspect of Gambit’s character. Unfortunately, Tatum’s Gambit doesn’t feature glowing red eyes, likely due to the additional CGI that would have been required to pull it off.
Given thatDeadpool & Wolverinealready leans into heavy CGI for other characters and action sequences, the omission of Gambit’s eyes might have been seen as a minor detail that wouldn’t impact the overall appearance. However, for fans of the character, it’s an important part of his identity that adds to his mystique and power set. It’s possible that the omission was also a conscious decision to avoid the kind of CGI eyes that have been met with criticism in the past, such as inBlade: Trinity(2004), where theinfamous artificial eyes detracted from the realismof the characters.
While this could have beenan especially meta and satisfying addition, theDeadpool & Wolverinefilmmakers likely opted for a more grounded look, focusing on his trench coat, armor, and staff, rather than adding glowing effects that could distract from the overall aesthetic. Still, the absence of Gambit’s glowing eyes is a noticeable exclusion from an otherwise faithful costume, and it remains a missed opportunity to fully capture one of the character’s most iconic visual traits. Nevertheless,Deadpool & Wolverineoffered the best and most faithful Gambit costume ever seen in live-action.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
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.
