Omega Underground has been spending the last couple months covering the pre-production of Fox’s X-Men spinoff film Gambit starting Channing Tatum as Remy.
We’ve uncovered behind the scenes crew hires, confirming some of the film is shooting in New Orleans (currently being scouted), and the potential addition or cameo of mutant villain Candra (not main villain).
Months ago we uncovered an audition tape of British actress Ali Rodney reading for the role of Bella Donna. Her character was speaking with Remy and the two are about to pull a heist but reminisce about their past relationship. Hinting to their wedding day.
Bella Donna: I.. I don’t know. I guess I just froze it was a chicken-shit thing to do. I guess I just saw a different side of you that day. A darker side it scared me. I didn’t feel safe with you.
The film underwent major script rewrites since this audition from the Doug Liman incarnation. However, the wedding and Bella Donna are still staying in from what we hear. We don’t know the size of the scene as it could be as simple as a flashback but could become a plot point.
This is supported by the film’s new working title of Forevermore which is an obvious nod to the wedding.
Remy and Bella’s wedding is an important piece of Gambit’s origin as the two families are part of feuding criminal gangs (Thieves and Assassins) and their marriage was seen as a way to end the feud once and for all. How they plan on incorporating it into the film is less known.
According to ThatHashtagShow, Bella Donna is still expected to be Parisian and not Southern, this would explain reports that French actress Lea Seydoux was being eyed for the role. However, with Lizzy Caplan now linked to the unnamed female lead and this audition tape seeing Ali using a regular Southern accent it’s possible Bella might end up just being from Louisiana.
Then again, we know there are multiple female roles in the film and not a single outlet has been able to confirm what role Lizzy is being eyed for. Leaving the door open for a French actress to play Bella and possibly even some scenes set in Paris (some sites have already teased this locale), if the character is still Parisian it could be a good excuse to go to Europe for a little bit (most X-Men films primarily take place Stateside). Plus, with the film’s release date set for Valentine’s Day the romantic location feels like a no-brainer.
The studio has other X-Men films in development which include Drew Goddard’s X-Force, James Mangold’s X-23 spinoff, Deadpool 3, and a Multiple Man movie possibly starring James Franco.
Rumors have suggested there is a good chance Franco’s self-replicating mutant character Jamie Madrox could appear in Gambit before getting his solo film. SplashReport had suggested that Madrox will appear in the film and will be recruited by Remy for his crew.
Caplan’s casting could also speak to James Franco’s possible addition to the Gambit cast as they’ve previously worked together on The Interview, 127 Hours, along with Freaks and Geeks. Lizzy also worked with brother Dave Franco in Now You See Me 2. It’s also said James auditioned for the Gambit role when there were once intentions to include him in a version of X-Men: The Last Stand. Fox has been trying for ages to find a franchise role for Franco, offering him The Predator lead last fall only for him to turn it down.
Production is expected to begin sometime early next year and with casting underway that still seems to be their plan. Fox has set Gambit’s release date for February 14th, 2019.
SOURCE: OMEGA UNDERGROUND