Troubled X-Men Spin-Off Gambit Lands Surprising Director

Channing Tatum’s long-gestating ‘X-Men’ spin-off ‘Gambit’ may finally be able to begin shooting after losing its original director at the eleventh hour.

The Hollywood Reporter reports 20th Century Fox has found a new director in the shape of Doug Liman who’ll step aboard to deliver the film in time for its slated release date of October 2016.

‘The Bourne Identity’ helmer is said to be “in final negotiations” to direct the comic book adaptation, starring Tatum in the title role, after the film’s original director Rupert Wyatt quit in September citing a scheduling conflict. The film was due to shoot in New Orleans this Autumn.

It was later revealed that ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ director Rupert Wyatt walked from ‘Gambit’ due to creative differences with the studio who were reportedly nervous about his vision for the franchise.

Liman (pictured above), whose last film ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ failed to set the box office alight, is a surprising choice for Fox as he’s a director with a reputation for making films with troubled productions.

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Both ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’ and ‘The Bourne Identity’ had famously difficult productions and were said to be have been “saved” from disaster in the post-production stage. Ironically, both movies went on to be huge commercial hits although Liman, perhaps tellingly, wasn’t invited back for the ‘Bourne’ sequels.

‘Gambit’ will be 20th Century Fox’s third ‘X-Men’-related movie in 2016 following Ryan Reynolds’ ‘Deadpool’ which arrives in February and ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ which is due to hit cinemas in May.

Image credits: Marvel/Getty Images