So now it's kind of awkward. Last week, TheWrap had a story saying Channing Tatum may not play superhero "Gambit" because his deal was potentially falling apart. They noted that a decision would have to be made quickly, since "Gambit" already had a release date, etc. It prompted the Taylor Kitsch fans who loved him in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" to jump in and say he should just get the role back. But never mind, because now it's official that Channing is going to be Gambit, and it sounds like he was never not going to be Gambit, he just had to finish his negotiations.

Here are some big picture details from The Hollywood Reporter:

One thing that needed figuring out was the extent of Tatum's involvement in the X-Men universe. Fox sees Tatum's Gambit, a mutant who harnesses kinetic energy, as one of the anchor characters of the X-universe, akin to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, someone who would anchor his own movies and appear in numerous others. It's a commitment that could theoretically last more than a decade. (Jackman has been portraying Wolverine since 2000, for instance.)

Sources say that backend compensation was also a sticking point.

So if these movies -- however many he makes as Gambit -- make serious coin, Chan needs to be shown the money. But it is a bit awkward now, considering how many fans were fine -- even happy! -- about the idea of Channing dropping out, because they don't see him as a good Gambit. Then again, it's rare for fans to be 100 percent supportive of casting, especially comic book casting. Channing is a charmer and he'll probably win everyone over, we just have to wait and see.

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