Channing Tatum's Gambit costume in 'Deadpool & Wolverine' v/s comic
Channing Tatum's recent portrayal of the mutant Gambit in the recently released Deadpool & Wolverine—starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman—has been a much-anticipated event for Marvel fans. The character's costume, which is reminiscent of his comic book origins, has been a particular point of interest. We delve into the details of Tatum's Gambit costume, comparing it to its comic book counterpart and previous live-action adaptations.
Tatum's Gambit costume: A blend of classic and modern
For those unaware, Gambit aka Remy LeBeau, is a visually distinctive X-Men character who made his first appearance in the comic book Uncanny X-Men #266 in 1990. The character is known for his signature trench coat, staff, and charged playing cards. Tatum's Gambit costume in Deadpool & Wolverine closely mirrors this classic look, blending elements of the original design with more contemporary updates.
A faithful adaptation with a twist
Tatum's Gambit is seen wearing the character's iconic long brown trench coat. Underneath, he sports a form-fitting black and pinkish-purple armored bodysuit, reminiscent of Gambit's magenta body armor from the comics. Tatum also wears Gambit's headgear, complete with his signature swooping hair. A notable departure from the classic design is the addition of silver leg armor, which has been featured in more recent comic book versions of Gambit.
Tatum's Gambit costume v/s Taylor Kitsch's version
The only other live-action depiction of Gambit was in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), where the character was portrayed by Taylor Kitsch. This version received mixed reviews, with one of the main criticisms being the lack of fidelity to the character's classic costume. Kitsch's Gambit sported a more subdued look with a black trench coat and minimal accessories, which was a departure from the character's distinctive comic-book appearance. Compared to Kitsch's version, Tatum's Gambit costume is a more faithful adaptation.
Tatum's Gambit costume compared to 'X-Men' animated series
For many fans, the definitive version of Gambit is from the X-Men: The Animated Series (1992-1997), where the character became a fan favorite due to his charismatic personality and iconic appearance. This version of Gambit featured many of his signature elements, including the long brown trench coat, black and pink body armor, and his staff. Tatum's live-action Gambit closely mirrors this animated version, albeit with some adjustments to fit the live-action format.
Tatum's Gambit: A darker, grittier adaptation
While the animated series featured a brighter and more exaggerated color scheme, Tatum's costume opted for slightly more muted colors. This reflects the darker, grittier tone of the Deadpool and Wolverine franchises. One element that Tatum's Gambit look misses out on is his glowing red eyes, which are a signature feature of the character in early comic book appearances and adapted into X-Men '97.