Top 15 Actors Perfect for the Role of Gambit in the MCU
Gambit, the charming Cajun mutant from the X-Men, is a fan favorite with his kinetic energy powers, card-throwing skills, and roguish charisma. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) gears up to introduce the X-Men, casting the right actor for Remy LeBeau is crucial to capture his suave, troubled, and acrobatic nature.
The ideal Gambit needs to balance a thick Cajun accent, physical agility, and a magnetic personality that can carry both action and romantic scenes. Here’s a list of 15 actors who could bring this iconic character to life in the MCU.
Jacob Elordi
At 26, Jacob Elordi has the youth and versatility to play a Gambit with a long MCU future. His roles in ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Saltburn’ show he can handle vulnerability, charm, and intensity, perfect for Gambit’s complex personality. Elordi’s tall frame and expressive face match the character’s comic book look. His ability to portray brooding yet charismatic characters makes him a strong fit for Remy’s troubled past and romantic flair.
Fan art of Elordi as Gambit, complete with the mutant’s signature trench coat and charged cards, has already sparked excitement online. His Australian background doesn’t hinder his ability to nail accents, as seen in his American roles, and he could master the Cajun dialect with coaching. Elordi’s rising star status would also bring fresh energy to the MCU’s X-Men reboot.
Dacre Montgomery
Dacre Montgomery’s role as Billy Hargrove in ‘Stranger Things’ proves he can play a charismatic bad boy with depth, ideal for Gambit’s thief-turned-hero arc. His Australian roots don’t limit his ability to pull off bold fashion, which aligns with Gambit’s flashy style, including his iconic trench coat and headband.
Montgomery’s experience in the ‘Power Rangers’ film shows he can handle superhero action and physicality. His ability to make flawed characters compelling would translate well to Gambit’s morally gray past, making him a standout choice for the MCU’s mutant lineup.
Brenton Thwaites
Brenton Thwaites brought grit and athleticism to Nightwing in ‘Titans’, skills that would serve Gambit’s acrobatic fighting style. His experience in high-budget productions ensures he can handle the MCU’s scale while bringing a fresh face to the role.
Thwaites’ ability to portray layered characters with emotional depth fits Gambit’s journey from a shady past to X-Men hero. His charm and physical prowess make him a natural pick for Remy’s card-throwing, staff-wielding action scenes.
Ian Somerhalder
Ian Somerhalder’s role as Damon Salvatore in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ showcased his knack for playing charming, morally complex characters, a perfect match for Gambit. His intense screen presence and romantic appeal align with Remy’s hypnotic charm and love story with Rogue.
Somerhalder’s experience with dramatic roles could bring a darker, more grounded Gambit to the MCU, especially if Marvel leans into a grittier X-Men tone. His ability to balance wit and vulnerability would make him a fan favorite.
Matt Bomer
Matt Bomer’s polished charm and understated intensity, seen in ‘White Collar’ and ‘The Normal Heart’, make him a compelling choice for Gambit. His ability to play suave yet empathetic characters fits Remy’s roguish yet heroic nature.
Bomer’s less mainstream status could allow him to fully embody Gambit without overshadowing the role. His classic good looks and ability to handle action scenes would bring authenticity to Remy’s flashy style and kinetic energy powers.
Regé-Jean Page
Regé-Jean Page’s breakout role in ‘Bridgerton’ showed his ability to exude charm and gravitas, qualities essential for Gambit’s smooth-talking persona. His commanding presence would make Remy a standout leader in the MCU’s X-Men.
Page’s ability to handle romantic and dramatic scenes would shine in Gambit’s relationship with Rogue. His global appeal and charisma could elevate the character to new heights in the MCU.
François Arnaud
François Arnaud, a French-Canadian actor known for ‘The Borgias’, brings a lesser-known but fitting profile for Gambit. His ability to portray nuanced characters with a hint of danger aligns with Remy’s thief background and mutant powers.
Arnaud’s relative obscurity in Hollywood could allow him to fully immerse himself in the role without preconceived notions. His natural accent and charm would lend authenticity to Gambit’s Cajun roots.
Jared Padalecki
Jared Padalecki’s work in ‘Supernatural’ highlights his ability to play charismatic, rugged characters, which suits Gambit’s adventurous spirit. His tall stature and physicality would make Remy’s action scenes, like card-throwing and staff combat, visually striking.
Padalecki’s fanbase and experience with long-running roles could bring loyalty to the MCU’s X-Men. His charm and ability to convey emotional depth would make Gambit’s romantic and heroic moments resonate.
Joel Kinnaman
Joel Kinnaman’s roles in ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘Robocop’ show he can handle intense action and complex characters, ideal for Gambit’s edgy, unorthodox vibe. His physicality would bring authenticity to Remy’s acrobatic fighting style.
Kinnaman’s ability to play tough yet charismatic roles would capture Gambit’s balance of danger and charm. His experience in superhero films makes him a strong contender for the MCU’s mutant roster.
Josh Holloway
Josh Holloway’s role as Sawyer in ‘Lost’ showcased his roguish charm and rugged appeal, qualities that scream Gambit. His ability to play a conman with a heart of gold aligns perfectly with Remy’s thief-to-hero journey.
Though slightly older, Holloway’s physicality and charisma remain strong, making him capable of handling Gambit’s action-heavy role. His Southern drawl could easily adapt to a Cajun accent, adding authenticity.
Scott Eastwood
Scott Eastwood’s action-hero experience in films like ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ makes him a solid pick for Gambit’s physical demands. His classic good looks and charm fit Remy’s suave persona, especially in romantic scenes with Rogue.
Eastwood’s ability to play grounded, relatable characters would bring depth to Gambit’s troubled past. His Hollywood lineage adds a layer of star power without overshadowing the role.
Austin Butler
Austin Butler’s transformative performance in ‘Elvis’ proves he can embody iconic characters with flair, making him a great fit for Gambit’s bold style. His youthful energy and charisma would bring Remy to life in a fresh way for the MCU.
Butler’s ability to handle dramatic and action-oriented roles, as seen in ‘Dune: Part Two’, aligns with Gambit’s mix of charm and combat. Fan art of him as Gambit has already generated buzz online.
Luke Hemsworth
Luke Hemsworth, known for ‘Westworld’, has the charisma and physicality to play a compelling Gambit. As a lesser-known Hemsworth brother, he could bring a fresh take to the MCU without the baggage of A-list fame.
His experience in action-heavy roles would suit Gambit’s acrobatic fighting style and kinetic energy powers. Luke’s charm and rugged edge make him a dark horse candidate for Remy.
Ben Barnes
Ben Barnes’ roles in ‘The Punisher’ and ‘Shadow and Bone’ show his ability to play brooding, charismatic characters, perfect for Gambit’s complex personality. His suave demeanor and physicality would nail Remy’s card-throwing and staff-wielding scenes.
Barnes’ ability to portray romantic and morally gray characters would shine in Gambit’s relationship with Rogue and his thief background. His understated fame could let him fully embody the role.
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum’s recent portrayal of Gambit in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024) was a fan-service hit, showing his passion for the role after years of trying to get a solo Gambit film made. His physicality, seen in ‘21 Jump Street’ and ‘Magic Mike’, fits Remy’s acrobatic and charming nature.
Despite some criticism of his Cajun accent, Tatum’s commitment and box-office draw make him a strong contender to continue as Gambit. His chemistry with future X-Men casts could solidify his place in the MCU.
Who’s your pick to play Gambit in the MCU’s X-Men reboot? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
