Recently the rumour that Channing Tatum is going to leave?Gambit?(the upcoming?X-Men?universe superhero film) has been doing the rounds on the internet. Even though it’s currently unconfirmed, it got us here at Third Act thinking, who else could play the Cajun mutant?

Gambit doesn’t look or sound like your typical superhero. He’s 6’2″ (although this can be fudged),?lean rather than muscly, and has long hair, and speaks with a Cajun accent, so any actor would need to meet those requirements. With those things in mind, here are a few ideas of who we think could be cast to play the title character in?Gambit.

Josh Hartnett

Probably the closest physically to the comic book character, Josh Hartnett has been a bit quiet recently. Still, he has his fans (myself included), and has?done some action before. Recently impressing in TV series Penny Dreadful,?he could easily make the jump back to the big screen.

Jake Gyllenhaal

His last two roles have been Billy Hope in?Southpaw?and Louis Bloom in?Nightcrawler?(no, not that Nightcrawler), which proves he can pretty much play any role. Gyllenhaal has plenty of prestige on his CV, and with?Prince of Psersia?not quite working (to put it politely), I’m sure he would be up for joining a big franchise.

Matt Bomer

Bomer is well on his way to becoming a big star, and being part of the X-Men?universe wouldn’t hurt. He’s got the look, and could prove to be a good investment for the studio. He’s probably better known as a TV actor, but?he’s not associated with any of those shows in a way that could hinder his potential star power.

Alexander Skarsg?rd

He’s proved multiple times that he’s a talented actor, and it’s really a surprise that Skarsg?rd hasn’t been picked up to play a superhero already. He’s got the right body type, and we know he’s good with accents, because he’s been playing Americans for almost his whole career.

Zac Efron

Why are you leaving? Wait, let me explain! Zac Efron might have got his start in the?High School Musical?films, but?I think he has a lot of potential as an actor. I could easily see him picking up the bo staff and deck of cards. It sounds strange when you say it like that… If he were to be cast, this could be the role that started to make people take him seriously as an actor.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Probably the best actor on this list (although a case could easily be made for Gyllenhaal), Cumberbatch is one of the fanboy choices for pretty much every role. Let’s be clear, this definitely won’t happen, not least because he’s playing Doctor Strange in the upcoming, erm,?Doctor Strange?film for Marvel studios. Still, I would watch this!

Ian Somerhalder

Another actor who’s probably more well-known for his work on TV, and another actor who could easily make the jump to the big screen. He’s got the right look, and even has some Cajun ancestry, originally coming from Louisiana. There’s not much he doesn’t have going for him.

Who do you think should play Gambit if Channing Tatum leaves? Cast your vote in our poll, or add any other suggestions in the comments.