Channing Tatum to play Gambit in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’

Unexpected! Channing Tatum is set to take on the role of Gambit in X-Men: Apocalypse before getting his own standalone feature.

The news was first broken by producer Lauren Shuler Donner while spruiking the impending X-Men: Days of Future Past. THR confirmed his casting.

Though the latest X-Men feature will see old and new cast unite, it seems Taylor Kitsch (who played Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine) didn’t get the invite.

Tatum, although already armed with the 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike franchises, could  use a pure action saga to call his own, especially since he’s no longer part of the G.I. Joe flicks.

With Hugh Jackman expected to retire Wolverine in two films time, Tatum is no doubt being eyed to carry the franchise further.

X-Men: Apocalypse has been dated for 2016.