'X-Men' movie update: 'Gambit' to be the third 'X-Men' movie to be released in 2016

Channing Tatum at the WonderCon 2012 in Anaheim, CA.[Wikimedia Commons]

After several rumors, it has finally been confirmed from producers and actors that "Gambit" will be released in 2016 as an "X-Men" movie spinoff. Thus, it will become the third movie belonging to the "X-Men" franchise to be released next year. The other two movies are "X-Men: Apocalypse" and "Deadpool."

Taylor Kitsch will not return as Gambit after taking up the role of the card-wielding superhero in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." Channing Tatum will star as the mutant with the unique Cajun accent instead. Similar to the other X-Men characters, Gambit is a mutant, and he has a unique power of charging up inanimate objects with kinetic energy and using them as offensive weapons. 

Speculations regarding Tatum playing Remy Etienne LeBeau commenced a year ago, after he was spotted having conversations with "X-Men" franchise producer Lauren Shuler Donner. After being interviewed on numerous occasions regarding the character's accent and abilities, Tatum will assume the role. A script is already in the pipeline and is currently being prepared by writer Joshua Zetumer. 

Given below are the upcoming "X-Men" movies that have so far been confirmed.

  • "Deadpool" - Feb. 12, 2016
  • "X-Men: Apocalypse" - May 27, 2016
  • "Gambit" - Oct. 7, 2016
  • "Wolverine 3" - March 3, 2017

Ryan Reynolds will be reprising his role as Wade Winston Wilson or Deadpool, and it has been rumored that both he and Channing Tatum will make cameos in "X-Men: Apocalypse." 

Additionally, Marvel Studios released the first ever trailer of the upcoming superhero movie "Ant-Man," which is scheduled to be shown on July 17 this year. A reboot of "The Fantastic Four" featuring a whole new cast is expected to be released on Aug. 7, and its sequel is scheduled to hit theaters on June 2, 2017.