Channing Tatum Latest News: ‘Magic Mike’ Is Set To Play ‘Gambit’ In Upcoming ‘X-Men’ Spinoff Movie; ‘He’s A Rogue’ Producer Donner Says

Channing Tatum Latest News: Channing Tatum will play Marvel mutant Gambit in an upcoming "X-Men" sequel, franchise producer Lauren Shuler Donner confirmed after Tatum teased last month that he had met with her to discuss the role, Yahoo reported.

In an interview posted by Total Film on Tuesday, May 13, X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner said that Tatum will play the character of Gambit in the X-Men film that follows this year's X-Men: Days of Future Past.

"He's a rogue. Channing-he's a rascal, just like Remy LeBeau . He can handle the action," Donner said of the actor. "We all know that. He's got a really good heart."

"He'll be great for Gambit, and he's a southerner too," Donner added. "He's not from New Orleans, but he is a southerner, so he understands that world, and you know Gambit loves New Orleans."

According to US Magazine, LeBeau, as famously known in the X-Men series, is a card-wielding, bilingual mutant who has the power to manipulate energy. LeBeau/Gambit's energy-tapping skill allows him to fight with superhuman sophistication and lithe.

Gambit, a Marvel mutant with the ability to mentally create, control and manipulate pure kinetic energy (as well as smack his enemies around with a bo staff), was previously played by Taylor Kitsch ("Lone Survivor") in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" - typically fans' least favorite installment of the 20th Century Fox franchise, Yahoo described.

Tatum,34, has been expressing interest in the role since last  September. The actor even called the character his favorite from the Marvel comic book property.

"I would like to play Gambit. Gambit's my favorite. I'm from New Orleans, around that area. My dad's from New Orleans, and I like to do a Cajun accent," Tatum told the media at a press event last year. "I could do it for real. No knock on Taylor Kitsch, though, 'cause I actually like his Gambit, but I've always lived around Cajun people ... Gambit was always like the woman-loving, cigarette-smoking, drinking [guy]. He was the punk rock of all the superheroes. He's a thief. He kind of rode the line."

Tatum will showcase his action prowess this summer in "22 Jump Street," and "Jupiter Ascending."

"X-Men: Days of Future Past" hits theaters on May 23.

According to Yahoo, Director Bryan Singer has already said he hopes to bring Gambit, as well as Nightcrawler, back for sequel "X-Men: Apocalypse."