Gambit in other media

This is a list of non-comics media appearances of Gambit.

Cartoons

X-Men: The Animated Series

Gambit's appearance in the 1990s X-Men series

Gambit was one of the starring X-Men characters in the X-Men animated television series of the 1990s, in which he was voiced by Chris Potter until Potter left in 1996 and was replaced by Tony Daniels until the series ended. For much of the series, he is insecure about whether the X-Men trust him, despite being loyal to the team throughout the series. In Slave Island, when Gambit, Jubilee and Storm were captured by Sentinels, he pretends to abandon the captured mutants, but only to escape and return to rescue them. One particular episode (Days of the Future's Past) features the time traveler Bishop accuses Gambit of betraying the X-Men by assassinating Senator Robert Kelly. The traitor is revealed to be the shapeshifting Mystique disguised as Gambit. One episode explored Gambit's past as a member of the Guild of Thieves, and his romantic relationship with Bella Donna. Throughout most of the series, Gambit maintains a flirtatious relationship with Rogue, eventually telling her that he loves her in the episode "Reunion, Part 2".

Other episodes which featured Gambit include the "Sanctuary" series, which involve Professor X, Beast and Gambit going to Asteroid M to speak with Magneto. On the asteroid, the X-Men were blamed for the murder of Magneto and chased off the asteroid. Gambit stayed behind to give the others a chance to escape. He was later rescued by the X-Men. He also guest starred in Spider-Man in the 1990s in the fourth and fifth episodes of the second season, along with the rest of the X-Men.

Fantastic Four

Gambit and the other X-Men make a cameo in "Nightmare in Green".

X-Men: Evolution

Gambit as portrayed in the second-season finale of X-Men: Evolution. Notably without his trademark black-and-red eyes

In the X-Men: Evolution animated TV series, Gambit appeared in a few episodes as a henchman of Magneto, and was voiced by Alessandro Juliani. This version of Gambit is noteworthy for taking liberties with the character, including his origins. Originally, his flirtatious moments with Rogue were meant to be a reference to their romantic relationship in the comics. Towards the end of the show's run, an episode featured Gambit kidnapping Rogue in an attempt to manipulate her into helping him rescue his adoptive father, Jean-Luc, after he was kidnapped by the Rippers (the Assassins Guild). Gambit, however, soon becomes protective of Rogue once he notices Jean-Luc's amazement of her mutant abilities. They part ways at the end on friendly terms, giving Rogue his favorite card, the Queen of Hearts.

In his first appearance, Gambit appeared with normal eyes (black iris and white sclera, as seen in the picture), which were later modified into how they look in the comics (black sclera and red iris).

Gambit shares a passionate kiss with Rogue, when she was possessed by Mesmero in the third-season finale (though it was only done so she could take his mutant abilities). In a photograph portrait, Gambit is a new member of the X-Men (with an arm around Rogue), along with other new members such as Colossus, Angel, Boom Boom, and X-23.

Wolverine and the X-Men

Gambit in Wolverine and the X-Men

Gambit was a guest character in Wolverine and the X-Men, in which he was portrayed as a freelance thief and saboteur for hire. His first appearance was in the episode "Thieves Gambit" voiced by Phil LaMarr.^[1] He first appears as a thief for hire, who steals a mutant ability-neutralizing collar invented by Forge and sells it to Dr. Sybil Zane and Bolivar Trask to use in the Sentinel Program. Wolverine convinces him to help him retrieve it, though he later escapes the fight without the collar. He appears again in the twenty-second episode, "Aces and Eights," romantically charming and seducing Polaris with his hypnotic charm ability, and attempting to steal Magneto's helmet, as well as placing explosives to damage Genosha's facilities. At the end of the episode he leaves Polaris, stating that he is not the man she thinks he is and that this is the way the world is, however he was not seen for the rest of the season. Like in earlier X-Men-related cartoons, Gambit has a strong Cajun accent and wears the usual body armor and coat. His romantic relationship with Rogue was not seen, as well as whether or not he was going to be a regular X-Men team member in the second season.^[2]

Films

• In X2, his name was seen on a screen among a list of other mutants when Mystique hacks the system of William Stryker for information on different mutants. Stuntman James Bamford filmed a cameo as Gambit before it was cut. Instead, this was added to Chris Claremont's novelization of the movie. The book itself never mentions Gambit by name, but he is shown as one of the mutants seen being affected by Dark Cerebro's activation. He is playing cards in a New Orleans bar when he suddenly falls in pain and causes a table to explode. In the X3 novelization, he is a new student at the mansion being trained by Wolverine, along with Cannonball, Danielle Moonstar, and Sage.^[3]
• When Bryan Singer was still slated to direct the third installment of the X-Men film series, the role of Gambit was intended for Keanu Reeves. An early leaked script suggested that Gambit would be included in X-Men: The Last Stand as both the new recruit and Iceman's romantic rival for Rogue's affection. Josh Holloway was offered the role but declined it due to scheduling conflicts on Lost. An interview with producer Lauren Shuler Donner reveals that Channing Tatum auditioned for the role, before the character was cut.^[4] In an interview with Wizard magazine, former WWE professional wrestler Gregory 'The Hurricane' Helms said that he had planned to read for the part before the change of producers and director.^[5] According to the audio commentary of X-Men: The Last Stand, Gambit was to appear in the prison convoy scene of the movie, before the character was cut. In the commentary of the movie, the director Brett Ratner also reveals that they did seriously consider putting Gambit in the movie but decided against it as they thought it was too small a role for such a big character.

Taylor Kitsch as Gambit from X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

• Friday Night Lights star Taylor Kitsch plays Gambit in director Gavin Hood's 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. In the storyline Remy is a former prisoner of William Stryker for 2 years, who was dubbed "Gambit" from his guards as he kept beating them in poker. After two years he managed to escape the facility, but was later confronted by Wolverine, who wanted to know where Stryker's base was to destroy it. Gambit, mistakenly believing he was sent to recapture him, attacked and later interrupted a fight between Wolverine and Sabretooth, inadvertently letting Sabretooth escape and robbing Wolverine of his revenge. After Wolverine defeats him, Gambit sees he is sincere and flies him to Stryker's base. At the conclusion, Gambit briefly returns to his side, and, after Wolverine's memories are lost, tells him his 'name': Logan. He offers to help get Logan and Silverfox's body off the island, but Logan turns him down, stating he can find his own way. In Origins, his trademark brown trench coat has been rendered to a dark brown leather duster, the character does not wear gloves or boots, and his signature red on black eyes have been reduced to normal colored eyes that merely glow red when he uses his power (mainly because the producers felt his eyes would be too distracting). Gambit's powers are also altered slightly, in that the objects he charges do not seem to explode, instead merely hitting with much more force—his playing cards hit with enough force to knock people through brick walls, he can strike the ground to create an impact wave to send his foes flying, and he can charge his staff to cleanly punch holes in walls to climb them without damaging the staff. This version of Gambit seems to be lightly inspired by the Ultimate X-Men version of the character, who is a retired thief and sports a "cleaned up" accent that is a Southern/Cajun mix.^[6]
• In an interview with Empire Magazine, Lauren Shuler Donner has an interest in Channing Tatum playing Gambit in a solo film.^[7] Tatum revealed in an interview with MTV that he will have a meeting with Donner about the character.^[8] Donner confirmed at the world premiere of X-Men: Days of Future Past to Total Films that Tatum will be portraying Gambit in X-Men: Apocalypse and a stand-alone film.^[9][10] In October 2014, Tatum revealed that a solo film is in development and that they were looking for a writer. He also hinted at the possibility of a Gambit film, which Fox had set a date of July 18, 2018 as an untitled film.^[11] In October 2014, Fox officially announced that Tatum was attached to star as Gambit, with a script from Joshua Zetumer-based off a treatment by longtime X-Men scribe Chris Claremont, along with Simon Kinberg and Donner, Tatum will co-produce the film with his Free Association producing partner Reid Carolin.^[12] It is scheduled to be released on October 7, 2016.^[13][14] Tatum has stated that the film will be an origin story.^[15] It was revealed that Bennett Miller, Darren Aronofsky, Gareth Evans and J. C. Chandor were all offered by Tatum to direct the spin-off but turned down the chance to direct.^[16][17][18] On June 15, 2015, Entertainment Weekly reported that Rupert Wyatt will direct the film.^[19] Tatum answered a Reddit question and stated that his character won't be in X-Men: Apocalypse.^[20][21][22] Carolin told Screen Rant that filming will start in October or November in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[23][24] On August 6, 2015, Deadline reported that the studio are looking at actresses Rebecca Ferguson, Léa Seydoux and Abbey Lee for the role of Bella Donna Boudreaux, but Deadline reported on August 18, 2015, Ferguson dropped out to work on the film The Girl on the Train, which leaves Seydoux and Lee still in the running. It was announced by Deadline on August 24, 2015 that Seydoux is cast as Bella Donna.^[25][26][27] On September 16, 2015, Wyatt has dropped out as director of the film due to schedule conflicts.^[28] In October 2015, Deadline and Heroic Hollywood reports that Doug Liman, Joe Cornish and Shane Black are the contenders to direct the film.^[29][30][31] On November 12, 2015, The Hollywood Reporter has reports that Liman is in final negotiations to direct the film.^[32] Kinberg said that he hopes to start filming next spring.^[33] Filming was going to start in March 2016, but production is delayed till late 2016.^[34][35][36] It was announced that the film is out of the October 7, 2016 release date.^[37] Kinberg told Flicking Myth in an interview that they're getting the script right setting the tone and the voice right.^[38][39] On July 8, 2016, Kinberg told That Hastag Show that the film's script is now completed which Liman has oversees the rewrites and may start filming at the beginning or Spring of 2017.^[40] On August 24, 2016 Variety reported Liman left the picture after the studio and he decided on a mutual split.^[41] On November 9, 2016, Kinberg announced to The Hollywood Reporter that they will start production after Tatum finished shooting Logan Lucky with a new filmmaker.^[42]

Video games

An X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse promotional image.

• Gambit's first video game appearance was in Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
• Sega Genesis games X-Men and X-Men 2: Clone Wars and Sega Game Gear games X-Men 2: Game Master's Legacy and X-Men 3: Mojo World all feature Gambit as a playable character.
• Gambit is a playable character in X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse for the Super Nintendo.
• Gambit appears briefly in Wolverine: Adamantium Rage.
• Gambit is featured in the Marvel vs. Capcom series through Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, voiced by Tony Daniels, his second voice from the 1990s cartoon.
• Gambit makes appearances in X-Men: Mutant Academy and X-Men: Mutant Academy 2, voiced again by Tony Daniels.
• Gambit is a playable character in the video games X-Men: Next Dimension voiced once again by Tony Daniels.
• Gambit is a playable character in X-Men Legends, and X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse voiced by Scott MacDonald in both games. He has special dialogue with Pyro when rescued and Sebastian Shaw when met in the city.
• Gambit was one of the X-Men taken out by Doctor Doom in the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Doomsday cut scene.
• He is a playable character in its sequel, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, voiced by Michael Dunn.^[43] His Horseman of Apocalypse costume serves as his alternate. In the Wii, PSP, and PS2 versions, he is unlocked via simulator disc. He is seen comforting Ms. Marvel at the funeral service.
• Gambit appears as a boss in the video game adaptation of X-Men Origins: Wolverine voiced by Chris Edgerly. Gambit has a significantly stronger Cajun accent than in the film in addition to a few other differing character traits. In the game, Wolverine chases Gambit throughout an under-construction hotel/casino in New Orleans, fighting off Col. Stryker's soldiers and four-armed, blade-wielding, female mutants who works for Gambit.
• Gambit is a playable character in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.
• Gambit appears in X-Men: Destiny voiced by his Wolverine and the X-Men voice actor Phil LaMarr.^[44]
• Gambit makes a background appearance in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 in a Days of Future Past-esqe poster, it says he was captured.
• In the Nintendo DS platform of Spider-Man: Edge Of Time, at the beginning there is a sign which represents a Gambit Casino.
• Gambit is a playable character in the Facebook game Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
• Gambit is a playable character in the video game Marvel Heroes. He previously appeared in Avengers Tower, providing the other heroes with useful items.
• In the Deadpool game, explosive clones of Gambit are seen in Genosha, created by Mr. Sinister.
• Gambit appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, again voiced by Phil LaMarr.^[45]
• Gambit was a boss character during the Terrigenesis special event, and is a playable character in Marvel: Contest of Champions

Toys

Gambit has had many action figures produced of him since his comic debut, the first being released less than a year after his first appearance.

• The first was released in 1992 in Toy Biz's X-Men toy line. He featured a removable plastic trench coat, staff, and had a kicking action feature when a button on his back was pressed. This figure was re-released in the first X-Men Classics line.
• The second Gambit figure had a more detailed sculpt, and had a non-removable vinyl trench coat. He also came with his trademark staff, and an 'energy cards' accessory designed to look like his signature playing cards in mid-flight, surrounded by energy. The accessory would light up at the touch of a button when placed in his hand. This version also had a variant, which featured Gambit wearing a blue and yellow uniform, meant to resemble the original X-Men uniforms.
• Gambit was also featured in the X-Men Robot Fighters sub-line, which was meant to simulate the various characters training in the Danger Room. This version of Gambit did not come with a coat or staff, but did come with a training robot that he could battle.
• He was also featured in the X-Men Power Slammers line, wearing the Shi'ar armor that he wore during the "Trial of Gambit" storyline.
• Gambit also had an exclusive release in the BJ's Wholesale exclusive X-Men Strike Team set, which featured all the X-Men characters wearing the classic blue and yellow X-Men uniforms.
• A Gambit figure was released in the X-Men vs. Street Fighter line, as well as a variant. The standard version used the body, arms, and legs from the Light-up Gambit, and a newly sculpted head. He came with a spring-loaded arm that could throw a playing card when pulled back and released. The variant was painted in the "Player 2" colors of the character, featuring a blue trench coat.
• Gambit has appeared in the Marvel Legends toy line, in series 4 and in the X-Men legends box set (with leather trench coat instead of cloth).
• Gambit has appeared in the Marvel Super Hero Squad line, in a two-pack with Rogue and also the four pack "X-Men Unite" with recolors of Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Juggernaut.
• A figure of Gambit is in the X-Men Origins: Wolverine toy line, based on his comic costume. One was planned for his movie costume, but it was canceled for unknown reasons.

References