Appearences of Gambit in cinema, television and video games
This is a list of non-comics media appearances of Gambit.
Television
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 in 1997.[1] 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 Future 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 that featured Gambit include the "Sanctuary" series, which involves 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.[1] 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 in the final scene of the final episode, 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 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][2] 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.[3]
Wolverine (podcast)
Film
- 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.[5]
- When Bryan Singer was still slated to direct the third installment of the X-Men film series, Gambit was going to be introduced and Keanu Reeves was considered. An early leaked script suggested that Gambit would be the new recruit and Iceman's romantic rival for Rogue's affection. Channing Tatum auditioned for the role before the character was cut.[6] Josh Holloway was offered the role but declined it due to scheduling conflicts on Lost. 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.[7] 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 because it was too small a role for such a big character.
Taylor Kitsch as Gambit from X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
- Taylor Kitsch portrays Remy LeBeau / Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), directed by Gavin Hood. In the story, Remy is a former prisoner of William Stryker for 2 years, who was dubbed "Gambit" by 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 portrayal of Gambit was 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.[8]
- Channing Tatum, who was originally considered for the role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, was intended to portray Remy LeBeau / Gambit in the character's titular solo film. Developments for the film have progressed over several years. In 2014, Lauren Shuler Donner stated at the world premiere of X-Men: Days of Future Past that Tatum would be portraying the character first in X-Men: Apocalypse, followed by a Gambit film.[9][10] In October 2014, Tatum revealed that a solo film is in development and that they were looking for a writer. In October 2014, Fox officially announced the film as Gambit, with a script from Joshua Zetumer, based on a story treatment by longtime X-Men scribe Chris Claremont. Simon Kinberg, Donner, Tatum and Reid Carolin will co-produce the film.[11] The film was initially schedule to be released in October 2016,[12][13] with Tatum stating that the film will be an origin story.[14] By June 2015, Rupert Wyatt signed onto the project as director.[15] By August 2016, Tatum stated that his character won't be in X-Men: Apocalypse, after all.[16][17][18] By August 2015, Léa Seydoux had been cast to portray LeBeau's love interest and fellow mutant, Bella Donna Boudreaux.[19][20][21] The following month, Wyatt dropped out of production as director, due to schedule conflicts.[22] Kinberg stated a month later, that he hoped to start filming the following spring.[23] The film was originally slated for an October 2016 release date,[24] but had several delays as the studio wanted to get the script right; setting a unique tone and the right voice.[25][26] By July of the same year, producer Kinberg announced that the film's script was completed with Doug Liman attached as director, after overseeing script re-writes, with filming slated to begin the following spring.[27] However, by August, Liman left the picture due to scheduling conflicts.[28] Among further production delays, while on press tour promoting the franchise's first spin-off television series titled Legion, Donner confirmed that Tatum is still signed on to star in the film, and is very involved with the development process.[29][30] By August 2017, the script was undergoing further rewrites, citing the successes of both Deadpool and Logan.[31] By October it was announced that Gore Verbinski was hired as the film's new director. Later the working title of Gambit was revealed to be Chess. On January 11, 2018, Gore Verbinski departed as director of the film, leaving the film yet again without a director.[32] In May 2018, Kinberg stated that the final script had been completed, and production will begin in the third quarter of 2018.[33] On September 27, 2018, Kinberg revealed to IGN that the movie will be a romantic comedy.[34] The film was scheduled to be released on March 13, 2020.[35] On March 14, 2019, Rupert Wyatt stated, "now Disney have the reins so I don't know what their plans are."[36] The movie was officially shelved in May 2019.[37]
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.[1]
- Gambit is a playable character in the video games X-Men: Next Dimension voiced once again by Tony Daniels.[1]
- Gambit is a playable character in X-Men Legends, and X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse voiced by Scott MacDonald in both games.[1] He has a special dialogue with Pyro when rescued and Sebastian Shaw when met in the city.
- In Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Gambit was one of the X-Men taken out by Doctor Doom in the Doomsday cutscene.
- He is a playable character in its sequel, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, voiced by Michael Dunn.[1][38] His Horseman of Apocalypse costume serves as his alternate. In the Wii, PSP, and PS2 versions, he is unlocked via simulator disc. Gambit is seen comforting Ms. Marvel at the funeral service for the missing and presumed deceased superheroes.
- Gambit appears as a boss in the video game adaptation of X-Men Origins: Wolverine voiced by Chris Edgerly.[1] 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, voiced again by Phil LaMarr.
- Gambit appears in X-Men: Destiny voiced by his Wolverine and the X-Men voice actor Phil LaMarr.[1][39]
- Gambit makes a background appearance in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, voiced by Rick Pasqualone.[1] In a Days of Future Past-esqe poster, it says he was captured.
- In the Nintendo DS platform of Spider-Man: Edge Of Time, there is a sign which represents a Gambit Casino at the beginning.
- Gambit is a playable character in the Facebook game Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
- Gambit is a playable character in the video game Marvel Heroes voiced again by Rick Pasqualone.[1] 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 Mister Sinister. Gambit himself appears in a hallucination sequence, playing the keyboard at a pool party. He has no speaking lines.
- Gambit appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, again voiced by Phil LaMarr.[1][40]
- Gambit is a playable character in the match-three mobile and PC game Marvel Puzzle Quest. The addition of both Gambit and Nightcrawler to the game was revealed during Rogue's official introduction in September 2017[41]
- Gambit is a playable character in the mobile game Marvel: Future Fight.
- Gambit appears in the "Rise of the Phoenix" DLC of Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, voiced again by Rick Pasqualone.[1]
- Gambit appears as a playable character in 2019 MOBA game Marvel Super War. His role in the game is a marksman with normal difficulty to play. All of his abilities are physical-based, and he relies mostly on his card-throwing as his main attacks. His ultimate move is he leaps in a specified direction with his bo-staff while throwing cards in 8 direction, cannot be targeted while damaging the enemies.[42]
- Gambit appears as an purchasable outfit in Fortnite Battle Royale along with his love interest Rogue.
Literature
In the Chaos Engine trilogy, when Doctor Doom uses a Cosmic Cube to rewrite reality, a team of X-Men including Gambit are the only ones to escape being affected by the reality rewrite as they were outside of existence in the Starlight Citadel at the time. When they travel to Earth to find out what has happened, Gambit is killed when he is infected by a techno-virus, sacrificing himself to destroy his body and the prison where the team had been taken while the rest are rescued by the local version of Magneto. However, he returns in the third book when the Starlight Citadel somehow allows his soul to be reborn in the body of the "local" version of Remy LeBeau after the Red Skull uses the Cube to create his own ideal world, allowing Gambit to rescue the local Rogue and rejoin the other X-Men. He is subsequently transferred into his restored original body after Roma is able to retrieve enough fragments of organic material from his original form to regenerate it.[43]
