Doug Liman, director of such films as Swingers, The Bourne Identity, Mr and Mrs Smith and Edge of Tomorrow, is in final negotiations to take over directing duties on the upcoming X-Men spin-off Gambit. This news comes a few months after Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt left the project over scheduling conflicts.
Liman was amongst a list of directors being considered for the job a few weeks ago that also included F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton), Shane Black (Iron Man 3) and Joe Cornish (Attack the Block). Liman has just completed prinicipal photography on drug smuggling drama Mena starring Tom Cruise. Liman also has two other Cruise-led pictures in development: sci-fi adventure Luna Park and a potential sequel to Edge of Tomorrow.
Channing Tatum and Lea Seydoux are set to star in Gambit. The screenplay was written by Josh Zetumer (the remake of RoboCop) from a story by famed X-Men comic book writer Chris Claremont. The film is still set for release on October 7 2016 but, given the production delays and Mena currently set for release after Gambit on January 6 2017, don’t be surprised if that date gets pushed. As it stands currently, Gambit will be the third X-Men film to release next year following both Deadpool and X-Men: Apocalypse.
#Peace.Love.Gambit
