'Gambit' movie news: Production delayed until late 2016

Remy LeBeau aka GambitMarvel Comics

Production for the "X-Men" spin-off film "Gambit" was set to begin this month, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, production has since been delayed to later this year due to the script being rewritten by "Magic Mike" and "Magic Mike XXL" scribe Reid Carolin. 

The report does not indicate why a script rewrite is necessary or what elements of the story are being altered. However, it is pointed out that this change of schedule has freed director Doug Liman in order for him to direct a different film while waiting for "Gambit" to begin filming.

As the rewrites continue, Liman will direct "The Wall" for Amazon Studios. The film is a small-scale project about a sniper and his spotter as they are locked behind a wall and pinned down by a legendary sniper threatening to take them down. The script was written by Dwain Worrell and is the first spec script ever bought by Amazon Studios.

"Gambit" is stated to keep Channing Tatum as its lead star, although there are no indications that actress Lea Seydoux is still attached to the project. Seydoux was brought in back when Rupert Wyatt was attached as the director, but Wyatt had to step down and no indications have been revealed if Seydoux departed along with him.

"Gambit" will tell the tale of the Cajun mutant Remy LeBeau, who has the ability to create and manipulate pure kinetic energy. He administers this capability mostly by charging energy into a deck of cards which he can throw and detonate upon impact, making him a versatile and dangerous member of the X-Men.

No release date has yet been announced for "Gambit." The film was initially set to release by 2017 but the studios have since removed it from their current film slate, indicating that the project is now in limbo until production can actually begin.