Thanking Ryan Reynolds, Tatum wrote, ‘I thought I had lost Gambit forever, but he fought for me and for Gambit. I will probably owe him forever because I’m not sure how I could ever do something equal to what this has meant to me.’

‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, is breaking records and generating buzz with its high-octane action and humor. Additionally, the film is filled with jaw-dropping surprises, including a cameo by actor Channing Tatum, who portrays Remy LeBeau/Gambit.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Channing Tatum shared his journey from attending San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H in 2015 for the initial Gambit solo movie to appearing in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’

‘These pictures are almost 10 years apart to the day,’ Tatum wrote, accompanying photos of himself and Ryan Reynolds at the 2015 and 2024 San Diego Comic-Con events. He also expressed gratitude to Reynolds for playing a crucial role in bringing Gambit to the big screen.

Tatum recounted the moment he saw Reynolds unveil the first glimpse of ‘Deadpool 1’ at Comic-Con, saying he went backstage to hug him. ‘I was in the audience when Ryan showed the first peek of ‘Deadpool 1’ to the world. I think I ran backstage right after, found him, and just hugged him, saying, ‘Holy shit, you did it, man. It’s perfect.’’

He also mentioned Reynolds’ unwavering support when he feared that Gambit might never make it to the big screen. ‘I didn’t know him well back then. But since then, I can say that almost no one in this industry has had my back more than Ryan. I thought I had lost Gambit forever, but he fought for me and for Gambit. I will probably owe him forever because I’m not sure how I could ever do something equal to what this has meant to me. I love ya, buddy,’ he wrote.

Tatum also praised director Shawn Levy, calling him a ‘brilliant creator on every single level.

‘All things happen for a reason. I’m so grateful to be in this movie. It’s a masterpiece, in my opinion, and just pure badass joy. I was literally screaming in the theater. LFG!! #deadpoolandwolverine,’ he added.

Tatum’s Gambit film had been in the works at Fox since 2014, undergoing various script revisions and director changes before ultimately being shelved. With Disney’s acquisition of Fox and its Marvel properties, it was widely assumed that the Gambit project was likely abandoned.

In a 2023 interview with Vanity Fair, Tatum explained that Gambit’s project was ‘swallowed up into Disney’ following the acquisition of Marvel and Fox. He added that their vision for the film’s tone differed from Disney’s.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ marks the 34th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and serves as the sequel to “Deadpool” (2016) and “Deadpool 2” (2018).