Producer Simon Kinberg wants to assure fans that the "X-Men" spinoff film "Gambit" starring Channing Tatum is still pushing through despite the many snags it has encountered thus far.
In fact, Kinberg told Collider in an interview that "we have a director in and I don't know if I'm allowed to say who it is yet because his deal isn't done, but it's somebody we're excited about, and somebody I adore, and hopefully we can make an announcement soon about that."
He, together with Tatum, producing partner Reid Carolin, screenwriter Joshua Zetumer, and the director have been spending a lot of time together just working on the script. They hope to start shooting next Spring, and Kinberg simply cannot contain his excitement about the film.
"I mean 'Deadpool' obviously has a very different, almost antithetical tone to the mainline X-Men movies," said Kinberg. "The 'X-Men' movies are dramatic and almost operatic, whereas 'Deadpool' is irreverent and hysterical and sort of a dirty R-rated comedy in many ways. And 'Gambit' will have its own different flavor and tone to it, will be more of like a heist movie and a sexy thriller in a way."
It is a sigh of relief now that "Gambit" is moving forward full speed ahead, after five directors previously turned down any involvement with the film.
The movie was actually first offered to Bennett Miller (who already worked with Tatum in 'Foxcatcher') and then Darren Aronofsky (once tapped to direct 'The Wolverine').
Both men passed on the job, so they tapped Gareth Evans of 'The Raid,' followed by J.C. Chandor (who wrote and directed 'A Most Violent Year'). However, they also turned down the film.
Things were getting desperate for "Gambit" until Rupert Wyatt decided to take it on. Sadly, the director and producers did not see eye to eye. Some say that their issue stemmed from the script and budget, while Wyatt insists that it is simply bad timing on his part.
They initially planned to start filming November this year, but they changed the production schedule to March 2016, which conflicted with another project Wyatt is handling.
"I was very much looking forward to working with my friend Channing and the team at Fox, but regrettably a push in the start date now conflicts with another project. I thank them for the opportunity, and I know that Gambit will make a terrific film," he said in a statement for Deadline.
"Gambit" will be released on October 7, 2016.
