Channing Tatum may no longer be playing superhero Gambit in X-Men spin-off

The 21 Jump Street actor was the reason the film was happening

Channing Tatum (Getty)

Since 2012’s Avengers every studio under the sun has wanted to replicate Marvel’s multi-million dollar cinematic universe. Fox, who already had a number of X-Men films, were inspired to start releasing solo movies for their heroes, and set out to release both Deadpool and Gambit films.

One of the reasons they believed Gambit was so viable was because, even though he's a B-list superhero, there was one star who passionately wanted to play the character: Channing Tatum.

The fast rising actor, who recently played a leading role in Magic Mike XXL, had previously said he’d love to play the card-throwing thief and that he was his favourite superhero. He then appeared at the San Diego Comic Con to promote the film alongside both Fantastic Four and X-Men actors.

According to a recent report by The Wrap, however, Tatum’s deal with Fox is in jeopardy as the actor wants out of the comic book project.

Tatum wasn’t only set to act in the film, he’s also a producer, and it remains to be seen whether he will remain involved with the film in this capacity.

Channing Tatum with Jonah Hill in '21 Jump Street', one of his most popular films (AP)

Apparently the 21 Jump Street actor’s representatives are still in active talks over the role, but with a release date penned in for 7 October 2016, they’re going to have to make a decision quickly.

The next film in Fox’s franchise to be released will be X-Men: Apocalypse, which stars Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Oscar Isaac, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum and Hugh Jackman. The film opens in cinemas across the UK on 19 May 2016.