We Really Hope Lizzy Caplan is Playing Rogue in ‘Gambit’

Channing Tatum’s upcoming Gambit might have just found its female lead in Lizzy Caplan, and only if our dreams come true, she’ll play Rogue, everyone’s favorite heavy-hitter from the ‘90s animated X-Men series.

Variety reported Monday that actress Lizzy Caplan is in talks to play the female lead in Gambit opposite Channing Tatum. Official details regarding Caplan’s role are being closely kept under wraps, and plot details for the project are scarce.

But back in 2015, Lea Seydoux was attached to star as [Bella Donna Boudreaux](http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/BellaDonna_Boudreaux(Earth-616)), a woman that grew up with Gambit in New Orleans. Their eventual arranged marriage was a dramatic way to promote peace between their warring Thieves and Assassins Guilds.

That version of the story could have been a superpowered Romeo & Juliet among thieves and assassins in NOLA. It’s entirely possible that Caplan might be joining the project in the same role, which would still be pretty cool. But a more interesting dynamic would be for Caplan to play Rogue, a fellow member of the X-Men with superpowers that totally outclass Gambit’s in some stories.

When many X-Men fans think of Rogue, they might picture Anna Paquin’s milquetoast, boring character that drained people’s life force through touch in the live-action movies. Among mutants, that usually leads to a temporary transference of powers as well, but in some cases, the results are a bit more extreme.

Fans of the ‘90s cartoon series no doubt remember the much-better Rogue who had the same powers and then some. Before the start of the series, Rogue touched Ms. Marvel a little too much and permanently gained super-strength and flight, leaving Marvel in a vegetative state. For the duration of the series, Rogue is pretty much the most powerful member of the team while Gambit dances around flinging playing cards and poking people with a stick.

Gambit in this animated series is a bit of a charming sleazeball, constantly flirting with Rogue even though they both know they can’t touch. She rebuffs his advances, but their romantic tension offers up some fun levity for the duration of the show, especially when set against Wolverine’s anguish, Jean’s dramatic existence as the Phoenix, or Cyclops’ boring self-seriousness. Tons of Marvel fans love Gambit and Rogue together; it’s a strong ship mainly because of how much fun they are.

A surefire way to make the Gambit movie both badass and funny would be to focus on Gambit and Rogue, perhaps even before they join up with the X-Men. Most solo superhero movies these days are basically team-ups anyway, right? Look at Logan and Thor: Ragnarok, along with Captain America: Winter Soldier and Civil War. Just because it’s called Gambit, doesn’t mean he has to steal the spotlight.

Interestingly enough, Marvel Comics is gearing up for a Rogue & Gambit series due out in January 2018. The series could lay the groundwork for fans to get used to seeing these characters together before Lizzy Caplan assumes the role much later. Again, this is all speculation, but it could make for a great movie.

Perhaps best of all? The film is due for a release Valentine’s Day 2019, so one way or another, there might be some kind of romance in Remy LeBeau’s future.

Gambit is scheduled for a February 14, 2019 release.