While we wait for the release of X-Men: Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer is already discussing possibilities for an 80s set sequel currently due to be released in 2016. One of the more exciting teasers he's suggested for X-Men: Apocalypse is that fan favorites Nightcrawler and Gambit may make appearances in the upcoming movie. Nightcrawler was already played to perfection by Alan Cummings back in 2003's X2, so if he returns to the role, the majority of fans will be happy. However, suggestions of Gambit's cinematic return have been met with mixed responses, despite him being one of the most popular characters in the X-Men comics. The reason why? X-Men Origins: Wolverine, of course. In Wolverine's first solo outing for the big screen, the inclusion of Gambit became a huge talking point prior to the films release, but Taylor Kitsch's portrayal of the Cajun mutant was met with derision from fans worldwide. Now that Gambit is set to be unveiled once more in X-Men: Apocalypse, let's hope the producers try and fix what's been done before by casting the perfect actor for the role. I know they're busy so to help Hollywood out, here are ten actors who have the credentials to successfully play Remy LeBeau in the upcoming X-Men sequel...
Honorable Mention: Taylor Kitsch
We know what you're thinking, but wait. Don't leave just yet! Taylor Kitsch was certainly not the perfect Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but in his defense, the character itself was completely screwed over by bad characterisation and horrendous writing long before Kitsch got to play him. Any actor would have received a backlash for Gambit's portrayal in that movie, although some of the criticisms directed specifically at Kitsch were certainly justified. The biggest problem? No goddamned accent. One of Gambit's signature traits is his thick cajun drawl, but for whatever reason, Kitsch chose to omit that key aspect of his character. Fans also complained that Kitsch was not rugged enough in his portrayal of LeBeau, but to be fair, he was playing a younger version of the character than people are used to in the comics. One important thing Kitsch did nail though was the casual charm and sex appeal that's made Gambit such a popular and enduring character since his first comic book appearance in 1990. It may be time to recast the Cajun mutant, but given the right script and direction, Taylor Kitsch could still pull off a decent Gambit in X-Men: Apocalypse.
David is a primary school teacher who tries his best to turn every math lesson into a discussion on the latest Pixar film. Passions include superheroes, zombies and Studio Ghibli. In between going to the cinema, moving to South Korea and eating his body weight in KFC, David writes for a number of movie sites, http://becarefulyourhand.blogspot.co.uk/
