Gore Verbinski Exits Channing Tatum’s ‘Gambit’

…and another one bites the dust. If it wasn’t already, “Gambit” is becoming something of a joke on the 20th Century Fox lot. In the works for years, the film has already been through two directors (Rupert Wyatt and Doug Liman), a missed release date in 2016, and had at least one overhaul of the script (thanks to the R-rated success of “Deadpool” and “Logan“). Things looked like they were finally on track when Gore Verbinski (three “Pirates Of The Caribbean” movies, “A Cure For Wellness“) signed up to direct last fall, with Channing Tatum heroically still in the lead role. Even more, a 2019 release date was set with filming slated to start this spring. Well, another bump in the road has been hit.

Variety reports that Verbinski has exited “Gambit,” once again leaving the cursed superhero movie without a director. There’s no reason for his departure, though the trade says the director “decided against” taking on the movie. There must be more to the story considering production was aiming to start shooting in March, and had even cast Lizzy Caplan in a supporting role. The question is whether or not Fox will try and hustle up another director to step in so they can keep everything on track, or perhaps more wisely, finally throw in the towel. No one is particularly asking for this movie, but then again, they may not want to give up a big tentpole slot next winter. However, with Disney set to take over Fox, maybe it’s just best to let it go.

We’ll see what’s in the cards for “Gambit” which is still slated to open on February 14, 2019.