LOST Actor Josh Holloway Reveals That He Was Originally Cast As Gambit In X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

LOST Actor Josh Holloway Reveals That He Was Originally Cast As Gambit In X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

Though Taylor Kitsch ultimately wound up landing the role, former Lost alum Josh Holloway has revealed that he was originally cast as Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine back in 2009. More past the jump...

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By MarkCassidy - May 01, 2018 06:05 AM EST
Former Lost and current Colony star Josh Holloway has long been a fan-favorite for the role of Gambit, and as it turns out, he very nearly played the card-flinging mutant in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

During an interview with Digital Spy, Holloway reveals that he was actually cast as Remy LeBeau before being replaced by Taylor Kitsch when someone with a lot of stroke at 20th Century Fox decided that they wanted to go with a younger actor.

“I actually screen-tested with Hugh Jackman. It was amazing – they said, ‘You’re it, you’re the guy, you’re Gambit!’ and they shook my hand. Then [the studio head] said, ‘I want someone really young, like that kid in High School Musical!’, so there I went.”

There's no doubt that Holloway would have brought the requisite swagger to the role of Gambit, but there is one area in which he may have floundered a little. “I’m terrible at the Cajun accent,” he admitted. “I wish I could [do it].”

There's now a solo Gambit film in the works with Channing Tatum in the lead. That's currently scheduled to hit theaters on June 7, 2019.

What do you guys think? Would you have preferred to see Holloway play the character back in the day? How about now? Sound off in the usual place.
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Imfunnyhow
Imfunnyhow - 5/1/2018, 6:05 AM
Dodged a bullet there pal
krayzeman
krayzeman - 5/1/2018, 6:07 AM
He would have been waaaaay better than Taylor Kitch...
Origame
Origame - 5/1/2018, 6:07 AM
I could see it. Maybe in a better film. Don't mind the lack of cajun. Especially if a non Russian Black Widow works.
ARMUS
ARMUS - 5/1/2018, 6:09 AM
I could see it, actually pretty good casting, he could've also fit John Carter, possibly Snake Plissken, maybe even Jonah Hex, he's got the southern drawl down.
Nightwing1015
Nightwing1015 - 5/1/2018, 6:10 AM
He'd have made a good Aquaman IMO.
bobbo68
bobbo68 - 5/1/2018, 6:11 AM
He had Gambit's look at that time. They might not look at him now since he's older and Tatum has the role. I felt he could have pulled it off. Might have been better he didn't since the movie wasn't that good.
DirkLargepeck
DirkLargepeck - 5/1/2018, 6:20 AM
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuubar, 20th Century Fox higher ups. FUBAR.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 5/1/2018, 6:28 AM
He was good on Lost however I don't think both of them were the right pick.

They should get a french actor for Gambit.
rabid
rabid - 5/1/2018, 8:46 AM
@NinnesMBC - The French is overplayed. I've lived around Cajuns my whole life, and virtually none of them speak French except for the occasional family slang.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 5/1/2018, 6:28 AM
I'd like to see him in more stuff. Doesn't always deliver the most convincing performances, but dangit I want to see him become a bigger star.
789
789 - 5/1/2018, 6:44 AM
He could be an awesome Gambit.
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 5/1/2018, 6:45 AM
Taylor Kitsch is the better actor. His portrayal of Lt. Michael Murphy in Lone Survivor was perfect.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 5/1/2018, 7:03 AM
@blackandyellow - That movie was devastating. Kitsch is not a terrible actor. Back when I saw a double feature at a drive-in theater (yes, they still exist) of The Avengers and John Carter, and although the movie was long and tedious I was surprised how much I really enjoyed it.
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 5/1/2018, 7:08 AM
@MosquitoFarmer - He was in that shitty Battleship movie with Peter Berg just so Lone Survivor could get made. The studio made Berg direct Battleship first so Kitsch signed on just to get it out of the way.

You know you've done well when the parents of the SEAL you portrayed getting killed by the Taliban tell you you've nailed the essence of their son.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/lone-survivor-star-reveals-important-review-article-1.1555514
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 5/1/2018, 7:17 AM
@blackandyellow - I was not expecting the unflinching portrayal of the brutality that they endured. All four of them were great and heartbreaking in that movie. It's a tough one but I always encourage people to watch it if they can. Certainly gives you a greater respect for what they do.
HannibalLecter
HannibalLecter - 5/1/2018, 7:01 AM
The fact that he cares about the Cajun accent makes him even more fitting for the role.

I just hope we get a great Gambit in movies someday.
gambgel
gambgel - 5/1/2018, 7:03 AM
He had the perfect look at the time, no doubt. would have been an awesome choice for the present day x-men (not a prequel, Origins)

Im sure Marvel Studios can sign a newcomer from France that would nail the role and look 100% Remy LeBeau.
SummersEssex
SummersEssex - 5/1/2018, 7:04 AM
He was my favorite pick for the role.
HannibalLecter
HannibalLecter - 5/1/2018, 7:04 AM
Wait a minute... now that I recall Gambit looks a lot more like Holloway than Kitsch in the Wolverine Origins videogame for PS3 and XB360
WaffeX
WaffeX - 5/1/2018, 10:04 AM
@HannibalLecter - the game was [frick]ing awesome, so much better than the movie
HannibalLecter
HannibalLecter - 5/1/2018, 1:30 PM
@IcemanX - I agree, the game was better in action, story, characterization and anything else probably.
SummersEssex
SummersEssex - 5/1/2018, 7:04 AM
Seriously this is going to piss me off all day now.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 5/1/2018, 7:06 AM
Kurne
Kurne - 5/1/2018, 7:13 AM
This guy is [frick]ing great, I don't know why studios keep passing on him. He was up for Crossbones in Cap 2, and while I'm happy with Frank Grillo I think Holloway would have been just as great.

He was also rumoured to be up for Aquaman-- jesus christ, he would have been way better than Momoa. God damn it.
theFUZZ008
theFUZZ008 - 5/1/2018, 7:53 AM
This Gambit film will never be made. Bury it.
Womprat
Womprat - 5/1/2018, 8:06 AM
I think Holloway would make a great Indiana Jones if they made films that take place between Crusade and Crystal Skull. He deserves to be a much bigger star.
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