FOX has reportedly given the greenlight for Channing Tatum to play as Gambit in an "X-Men" spin-off film.

Deadline revealed that Tatum is tapped to play the popular card-savvy superhero, after expressing interest in the role earlier this year. According to an additional report from Entertainment Weekly, the "Magic Mike" actor told MTV that "Gambit's the only X-Man I ever loved. He's the most un-X-Man X-Man that's ever been an X-Man ... he loves women and drinkin' and smokin'."

In "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," Gambit was played by actor Taylor Kitsch. Tatum's portrayal will be a reboot of the character, Entertainment Weekly added.

Character Background

Gambit, who also goes by the name, Remy LeBeau, is one of the X-Men characters of Marvel. The superhero was created back in 1990 by Marvel Comics writer, Chris Claremont. The character has "the ability to charge matter with volatile kinetic energy, causing the object in question to explosively release its charge on impact," as noted by Deadline. Gambit had an appearance in the 2009 Hugh Jackman starrer "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

Deadline further reported that the "Gambit" movie screenplay will be based on Claremont's treatment of the character in the comics. Vulture wrote that back then, it wasn't confirmed if Gambit would star alongside other Marvel superheroes in 2016's "X-Men Apocalypse" or if he would get his own standalone movie. 

It appears that Tatum won't be having a hard time connecting to the superhero character. Entertainment Weekly pointed out that both the actor and Gambit are southern gentlemen, hailing from Alabama and New Orleans, respectively.

Cast Members and Creative Team

As of now, only Tatum is the confirmed actor for the "Gambit" movie. Josh Zetumer, who also wrote for "Robocop," will reportedly write the screenplay. Tatum will produce the film alongside his Free Association partner Reid Carolin, The Donners Company's Lauren Shuler Donner, and Genre Films' Simon Kinberg, Deadline wrote. The films' release date and director are still unknown. 

"X-Men" films producer Donner stated in a red carpet interview that she is looking forward to casting Tatum as Gambit.

"He's a rogue, Channing. He's a rascal," Donner told Total Magazine, as quoted by NY Daily News. "And he can handle the action, we all know that. And he's got a really good heart. ... So I think he'll be great for Gambit."

In the meantime, check out the official trailer for "X-Men: Days of Future Past" below, the latest film of the popular Marvel franchise.