Just when fans thought "Gambit" is finally moving forward, the Channing Tatum-lead "X-Men" spin-off just lost its director again, putting it in the film purgatory even longer.
Deadline has confirmed that Gore Verbinski, who signed up to do the directorial duties last October, has just withdrawn from the project, citing "conflicting schedules." His exit comes two months before "Gambit's" start of production. As a result, 20<sup>th Century Fox has moved its release date from February 2019 to June 2019.
Verbinski was the third director to board the long-gestating film that Fox first announced in 2014 and set for a 2016 release. He replaced Doug Liman at the helm, who also signed up following "Planet of the Apes" director Rupert Wyatt's departure. The former left as he could not forge a meaningful connection with the source material while the latter was reportedly due to creative differences.
While it does not seem like there was any ill-will between Fox and Verbinski, the director's exit will likely have an effect on the film, especially with the recent Fox-Disney merger. Rumor has it that all Fox projects in the works are placed under review and kept or scrapped depending on their progress or chances of success. Unlike fellow "X-Men" spin-offs "Deadpool" and "New Mutants," "Gambit" is still in its pre-production period. As it keeps hitting roadblocks, there is a chance Fox may change its course of action.
Then again, no definite decisions have been made yet. Channing Tatum is still slated to star, and given the studio has locked in a release date for "Gambit," fans still have a reason to hope.
Apart from "Gambit," Fox also moved "Deadpool 2" two weeks from June 1 to May 18 this year, and "The New Mutants" from April 13 this year to February 2019. The only mutant movie that has not been moved is the main series' next installment: "X-Men: Dark Phoenix," which will stick with its original Nov. 2, 2018 release date.
