‘Gambit’ Release Date Axed: ‘Deadpool 2,’ ‘X-Force,’ ‘Wolverine 3’, ‘New Mutants’ Due After ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’

Gambit will not hit theaters Oct. 7 this year. The Marvel film starring Channing Tatum has been pushed back to an unspecified date, most likely in 2017 since the X-Men spinoff has not yet started filming. Instead, Fox has scheduled two unnamed Marvel movies for release Oct. 6, 2017 and Jan. 12, 2018. The Gambit release date may have been pushed back to Oct. 6 2017, but could the other be Deadpool 2, New Mutants, or even the rumored X-Force movie?

Gambit was originally set to be directed by Rupert Wyatt ( Rise of the Planet Apes) , but he has subsequently been replaced by Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow). Lea Seydoux will star alongside Tatum as Bella Donna according to Deadline. Producer Simon Kinberg recently described Gambit as a “heist movie” and a “sexy thriller” during an interview with Collider. For those unacquainted, Gambit, also known as Remy LeBeau, is a kinetic energy-charging, card-throwing mutant who has a romantic history with Bella Donna.

Taking into account Deadpool’s financial success and rave reviews, it would be smart for Fox to give Ryan Reynolds their full attention now that Gambit has been pushed back. The Deadpool sequel is already in the works. However, the Reynolds himself recently called X-Force “a priority.”

“There’s so much material to mine in just the X-Men universe … In the future, if we’re doing a bunch more Deadpool movies, we’re really going to explore the X-Men a lot. We’ll see. And maybe X-Force — X-Force is my priority. I really want to get that in,” Reynolds said during an interview with FILMSTARTS. This is good news, but Fox has not yet made the X-Force movie official. Could X-Force release before Deadpool 2 ?

It’s nearly certain Cable will co-star in the Deadpool sequel, however, Reynolds also told ComicBook.com he would like to see Cable lead the X-Force team. During a NYC Deadpool fan event, one excited goer shouted out “ Deadpool & Cable” to which Reynolds responded, “Your lips to God's ears, my friend. Believe me, that's being talked about.” In an earlier interview with Empire, Deadpool Director Tim Miller affirmed Reynolds’ statement. "There aren’t really many definitive Deadpool villains, apart from Cable. If we don’t put Cable in Deadpool 2 I think we’ll be run out of town on a rail.”

Way back in 2013, Jeff Wadlow (Kick Ass 2) was rumored to be writing the script for X-Force. According to ComicBook.com, X-Force creator Rob Liefeld called Wadlow’s draft “beyond impressive.” He didn’t reveal any real spoilers, but said he’s looking forward to the X-Force team’s dynamic.

“The best part of the film is the camaraderie between the team as they learn to cope and trust one another!” Liefeld added. Wadlow reportedly revealed X-Force is a 5-man team and said Deadpool, Wolverine, Cable, Psylocke, Domino and Colossus would be his favorite pick.

Fox is juggling a few other projects as well. The studio has already announced New Mutants , a third Wolverine movie, and of course X-Men: Apocalypse is due in May. Josh Boone ( The Fault In Our Stars ) is slated to direct New Mutants , which was ordered last May. Boone will co-write the script with Knate Gwaltney. Six months ago, Boone posted an Instagram picture of a near-complete script.

Wolverine 3 will be Hugh Jackman's last time popping the claws. “It just felt like it was the right time to do it. And let’s be honest, 17 years. I never thought in a million years it would last, so I’m so grateful to the fans for the opportunity of playing it. … I kind of have in my head what we’re going to do in this last one. It just feels like this is the perfect way to go out,” Jackman told ComicBook.com.

Jackman confirmed his role via Instagram. Director James Mangold responded to the post on Twitter and will return to direct Wolverine 3 , which is due March 3, 2017. Recent rumors suggest the third Wolverine installment will be Rated R due to Deadpool’s success.

Clearly, this is a huge year for the X-Men franchise. First up is X-Men: Apocalypse, which should give us a few hints about what to expect next. Look out for Apocalypse, Archangel, Beast, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Havok, Jubilee, Agent Moira, Magneto, Mystique, Nightcrawler, Professor X, Psylocke, Quicksilver, Stryker, and Storm in theaters May 27.

• X-Men: Apocalypse – May 27, 2016
• Wolverine 3 – March 3, 2017
• Untitled Marvel film – October 6, 2017 (Gambit speculated)
• Untitled Marvel film – January 12, 2018 (Deadpool 2 speculated)
• Untitled X-Men film – July 13, 2018 (New Mutants or X-Force speculated)

How do you think this release schedule will play out? Let us know in the comments below!