Channing Tatum has finally shared the real reason why Gambit’s accent is so hard to understand in some scenes of the movie
For Channing Tatum, making his MCU debut as Gambit was a dream come true, though he’s also had his share of comedy in Deadpool and Wolverine. The opportunity to interpret the iconic
A preparation of years
The actor had been attached to a solo Gambit film since 2014, a project that went through multiple scripts and directors until it was finally scrapped following Disney’s merger with Fox. However, the Multiverse concept gave Tatum a second chance, and he made the most of it, ensuring his Gambit was as true to the original character as possible.
One of the most talked about aspects of Tatum’s performance was, without a doubt, Gambit’s Cajun accent, which in some scenes was almost incomprehensible. This detail did not go unnoticed by fans or the creators of the film, to the point that Deadpool at one point jokes about it, asking Gambit: “Who’s your speech coach? The Minions?”
A deliberately complicated Cajun accent
When asked if he thought the criticism was fair, Tatum was clear: “‘Fair’ is an interesting word in that question. “No, I don’t think that’s fair,” the actor said, defending his choice.
He explained that although he grew up in Mississippi and his father is from New Orleans, the Cajun accent is extremely unique. “There are some idioms that are very Cajun, but we actually wanted them to be something that was incomprehensible. That was part of the joke,” Tatum added. During filming, Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) jokingly suggested that he didn’t want to understand anything he was saying in some scenes, which led Tatum to deliberately exaggerate his accent in some scenes.
Gambit’s Legacy in the MCU
Tatum’s commitment to the character was such that even his costumes reflected absolute fidelity to the comics. However, when asked if he took home Gambit’s iconic costume, Tatum confessed, “I was too scared to ask. And normally, in every movie I wear my last outfit, but on this one I was scared to do that.”
Deadpool and Wolverine’s post-credits scene hinted that Gambit is still alive and possibly trapped in “The Void,” which leaves the door open for him to return in future MCU installments, such as Avengers: Judgment Day the Avengers: Secret Wars.
An intentional decision
The detail of Gambit’s accent wasn’t a mistake or an oversight, but rather an intentional decision used to add a touch of humor to the character and the film. Tatum wanted the accent to be true to the character’s roots, but he was also willing to exaggerate it when the moment called for it, especially in a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
This approach has generated an interesting discussion among fans about the importance of authenticity over comic interpretation in comic book characters adapted for film. Tatum, with his knowledge of the dialect and his personal experience, wanted to pay homage to Gambit without losing sight of the overall tone of the film.
Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy, is now in theaters and features an all-star cast including Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, and more. The film promises to be a feast for MCU fans and, no doubt, a memorable entrance for Tatum as Gambit.