Gambit had originally been set for a 2016 release, but when Rupert Wyatt left the project due to creative differences, a lengthy search began for his replacement. It was recently reported that Doug Liman was set to sign on the dotted line, but the wait was not without consequences as the X-Men spin-off has had to be pushed back.
Speaking with Collider before Liman's involvement was announced, producer Simon Kinberg stated: "We have a director in and I don’t know if I’m allowed to say who it is yet because his deal isn’t done, but it’s somebody we’re excited about, and somebody I adore, and hopefully we can make an announcement soon about that. But we’ve been spending a lot of time together—Channing, [Reid Carolin, Tatum’s producing partner], [screenwriter Joshua Zetumer], the director, and myself—just working on the script, and we hope to start shooting next spring."
