Channing Tatum’s portrayal of Gambit is set to make a return in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday. However, lingering questions remain from his last outing in Deadpool & Wolverine. Tatum finally showcased his skills as the Cajun mutant in Deadpool 3, a noteworthy moment especially after extensive delays derailed his solo Gambit project, which had long been in development. Fans were thrilled to see him not just in a brief cameo; his character received ample screen time, exhibiting an impressive array of card tricks and energy manipulation abilities.
Following an explosive team-up with Deadpool, Wolverine, Elektra, Laura, and Blade, audiences are eager to know if Tatum’s Gambit will return or if this marks his sole appearance. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe gears up for its Mutant Saga in the coming years, while Tatum’s Gambit may not be the central version for the MCU, a deleted scene from Deadpool & Wolverine hinted at his future, with Marvel recently confirming his next appearance. Nonetheless, a critical question stands: what does Marvel need to clarify about Gambit’s fate in Avengers: Doomsday?
A Deleted Scene Hints at Gambit’s Future
Hints from a Cut Scene Suggest Gambit’s Story Isn’t Finished
Shortly after the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds, who stars, writes, and produces the film, unveiled a deleted scene that further teases Gambit’s return. In this clip, Gambit is seen traversing the aftermath of a chaotic battle at Cassandra Nova’s lair, navigating through debris, flames, and the remains of defeated X-Men villains like Toad. The camera zooms in on Gambit’s visage as he gazes skyward, revealing a portal’s reflection in his eyes, suggesting that he may not be abandoned in the void of his predicament.
Significantly, Gambit appears alone, raising questions about whether characters like Elektra, Blade, or Laura, who also partook in the battle, have any chance of reappearing. Although they are not confirmed for the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, the expansive narrative of the multiverse, particularly with the upcoming Secret Wars, leaves the door swing wide open for their potential return.
Marvel Must Clarify the Source of Gambit’s Portal
The Mystery of the Portal in the Void
Within the trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine, viewers witness the titular characters jumping through a portal activated by a sling ring, raising speculation about its origin. However, this was a clever misdirection; the portal was actually opened by Cassandra Nova, who struck a deal with Deadpool and Wolverine to return to the Fox universe in exchange for her life. After her exit, no one from the Void possessed a sling ring, leading to the conclusion that only someone from another universe can create a portal for Gambit to escape. Identifying this source becomes crucial in understanding his storyline, especially in the context of Avengers: Doomsday. It might also tie into Gambit’s mysterious background, as he has little recollection of his existence in the Void.
Tatum’s Gambit is Independent from the Fox Universe
A Standalone Character in the MCU Landscape
Moreover, revealing the portal’s origin is pivotal since Tatum’s Gambit does not share continuity with other Fox X-Men characters. Previously, Gambit was portrayed by Taylor Kitsch in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but Tatum’s version has never existed within that narrative framework. Thus, he is not arriving in the MCU alongside the other X-Men, and his backstory remains largely unknown due to his representation in the Void.
As Tatum humorously notes in Deadpool & Wolverine, he struggles with his own origins, indicating that he is unsure of the universe he belongs to. This layered joke underscores the fact that the individual who opens the portal for Gambit should likely be someone connected to his past. Currently, only Deadpool and Wolverine have any knowledge of his existence, intensifying interest in how Marvel will integrate Tatum’s Gambit into the MCU. The anticipation builds as fans look forward to seeing Gambit interact with other familiar faces in Avengers: Doomsday.