Another setback has thrust 20th Century Fox‘s upcoming “X-Men” spin-off film, “Gambit“, back into turmoil again.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rupert Wyatt (of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” fame) will no longer helm “Gambit” as he has dropped out of the director’s chair.
Wyatt was first announced to be the director of “Gambit” earlier in June. Filming was supposed to begin next month as the movie is slated for release on 7th October 2016 (It will be released in Malaysia on 6th October 2016 instead).
Now, he has exited the film due to a scheduling conflict that was resulted from a changing script. THR was told by a source that the changing script has caused budgetary concerns for Fox. As a result, the studio was forced to push the shooting date to January 2016 so that the script can be re-worked.
Another source also said that the shooting schedule around Mardi Gras caused the reshuffling.
Regarding his departure from the project, Wyatt said in a statement:
I was very much looking forward to working with my friend Channing and the team at Fox, but regrettably a push in the start date now conflicts with another project.
“I thank them for the opportunity, and I know that Gambit will make a terrific film,” he added.
The project was once on the verge of falling apart as “Magic Mike XXL” star Channing Tatum, who will play the titular mutant role, has reportedly considered dropping out of the film.
After much deliberation, Tatum decided to remain onboard as an actor and a producer. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter the negotiations did hit a sensitive spot, but such issue is “a normal part of top-level talent dealmaking”. Lea Seydoux, who will be seen next in “SPECTRE“, has been offered to play the female lead in the film.
Josh Zetumer will remain serving as the scriptwriter with longtime “X-Men” scribe Chris Claremont. Tatum will produce alongside Reid Carolin, Lauren Shuler Donner, and Simon Kinberg.
Source: THR.
