IsEdge of TomorrowdirectorDoug Limanperfect for theX-Men universe?Channing Tatumseems to think so. He’s going after the filmmaker with the hopes that he’ll helm the upcomingGambitspinoff. Despite a few hurtles on the way to production, 20th Century Fox still plans to release thissolo adventurein October, making it the third X-Men movie to arrive in 2016, followingDeadpoolin February andX-Men: Apocalypsein May.
Gambithas never seemed to be standing on firm ground. BeforeChanning Tatumofficially signed on, it sounded like the whole project might collapse. And it took forever to lock down a director.Rupert Wyatteventually came on board, but theRise of the Planet of the ApesandThe Gamblerdirector bailed sitingcreative differences. Soon after, it was speculated that the movie might get delayed until 2017.Channing Tatum, who is producing as well as starring in the lead, doesn’t want to see that happen though. And is working hard to convince Doug Liman to sign on, according toThe InSneider.
Doug Liman is best known for directingTom Cruisein the sci-fi thrillerEdge of Tomorrow, and the two recently re-teamed on the drug dramedyMena. With an October 2016 release date in place, you may bet that a production start date is happening soon. If Doug Liman takes the job, we should hear about before the weekend. At this time, it isn’t know if the director is even considering the option, or how deep into talks he may be.
A previous insider’s report concluded that creative differences was only scratching the surface of the issuesRupert Wyatthad with thisX-Men franchiseinstallment. Apparently, the director and studio could not agree on how to bringGambitback to the big screen after the popular Cajun mutant was first introduced in 2009’sX-Men Origins: Wolverine. In that spinoff, the Marvel character was played byTaylor Kitsch. 20th Century Fox already had a very negative experience with directorJosh Trankon theFantastic Fourreboot, and didn’t want to travel down the same road a second time while trying to build their own version of theMarvel Cinematic Universe.
X-Men: Apocalypsewill bring the six film X-Men Hexalogy established byBryan Singerto a close, withGambitthe first to arrive in the Post-Apocalypse X-Men landscape. It will help establish a new take on the X-Men universe, helping to push the franchise in a new direction. And everyone currently involved in the project knows how important that is to get it right. Is Doug Liman a step in the right direction? We’ll surely know soon if Fox is still intent on keeping that release date.
