20th Century Fox Originally Cast Josh Holloway As X-Men Origins: Wolverine’s Gambit

Channing Tatum might be 20^th Century Fox's new Gambit star, but the development of the studio's Gambit spinoff has had a lot of problems as of late with production being pushed back after the film loses its most recent director, Gore Verbinski.

Now, as fans continue to wait for production to finally begin, a new report reveals that Fox might have actually gone with a very different actor for X-Men's Ragin Cajun.

Speaking in an interview with the Digital Spy, Colony actor Josh Holloway reveals that the studio had originally cast him as Gambit for X-Men Origins: Wolverine until Fox decided to replace him with Taylor Kitsch.

"I actually screen-tested with Hugh Jackman," the Lost star told the publication. "It was amazing – they said, ‘You're it, you're the guy, you're Gambit!' and they shook my hand."

Though Holloway seemed to be more than excited to become Fox's new Gambit, the studio eventually decided that they wanted a young actor for the role. The 40-year-old Holloway was then replaced with Kitsch who was only 28 at the time.

Fox's change of heart was a downer for Holloway. The actor did a lot to prepare for the role, learning card tricks ahead of his audition by checking out tutorials online.

"I could spin a card on one finger, I could one-hand cut, I learned to throw a card… it was cool," the actor said.

Because of the tepid response to X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Fox decided to shelf its plans for a Gambit spinoff until they could recast the role, this time with Tatum. Though the popular actor is still attached to the project, development still seems to be in limbo after Verbinski left earlier this year.

Gambit is set to release on June 7, 2019.

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