Edgar Wright explains why he turned down the opportunity to direct Channing Tatum in a Marvel GAMBIT film

Director Edgar Wright he is known for making some amazing films like Night of the Living Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Child driverAND Last night in Soho to name a few. We already knew that he was Marvel’s quasi-director Ant man movie, but it turns out he had the option to tackle another Marvel movie, which he had never even considered.

In a recent interview with /Film, Wright explained why he declined to become a producer Simone Kinberg approached him to take on the adaptation of Gambitwith Channing Tatum hero:

“Gambit wasn’t a character I knew too well. He appeared after I read Marvels – around 1985 – 1990 or so. [He] it wasn’t one I knew much about and I hadn’t really read growing up, so it seemed like it was someone else’s dream gig. Maybe it means more to the people who watched the [animated] show? Which, again, was after my time.”

Wright has done a good job of choosing projects that he’s very passionate about, and this just wasn’t one of them. Channing Tatum was very keen on trying to make this film and reportedly pursued several directors including Darren Aronofsky, JC Chandor, Bennett MillerAND Gareth Evans. It’s a shame it didn’t work out, but Tatum is said to appear as Gambit in the upcoming sequel Deadpool 3. We’ll just have to wait and see if that happens.