Articles
Channing Tatum Bombed Audition to Play Another Marvel Superhero
For years, Channing Tatum was attached to a solo Gambit film that seemed perpetually on the verge of production during the Fox Studios era. Despite the actor’s clear passion for the role, the project ultimately fell into development limbo and vanished after Disney’s acquisition of the studio. Fans who had long championed Tatum’s casting believed the opportunity was lost forever, but that changed with his surprise debut as the card-throwing Cajun mutant in Deadpool & Wolverine, a cameo celebrated so enthusiastically by audiences that Marvel Studios quickly confirmed his return for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. However, while Tatum has finally embodied the hero he fought so long to play, his journey into the Marvel Cinematic Universe almost started much earlier with a failed audition for one of the original Avengers.
“I didn’t really want to be Thor. But I wanted to audition in front of Kenneth Branagh,” Tatum revealed to Variety about his tryout for the very first Thor movie. The experience, however, was a humbling one that highlighted a personal weakness in his craft at the time. “After I did one take, [Branagh] was like, ‘You’re not allowed to move. Put your hands on this chair.’ And I froze. He nailed my crutch. I spent the next five years really trying to learn stillness.”
The role of Thor, of course, went to Chris Hemsworth, who has defined the character for over a decade and become a cornerstone of the MCU. Hemsworth’s portrayal turned the God of Thunder into a fan-favorite hero, though his future beyond Avengers: Doomsday remains uncertain as Marvel decides the next steps for the character. In retrospect, Tatum’s unsuccessful audition was a fortunate turn of events for audiences. The outcome allowed Hemsworth to claim his iconic role while leaving Tatum available to eventually fulfill his own destiny as Gambit, giving fans two beloved actors in roles that now feel perfectly suited to them.
Channing Tatum and Chris Hemsworth Will Cross Paths in Avengers: Doomsday
The separate Marvel paths of Tatum and Hemsworth are set to converge in Avengers: Doomsday, a massive crossover event that will unite heroes from across the multiverse. The film is poised to be one of the largest ensemble projects in cinematic history, bringing together multiple superhero teams to face an universe-ending threat. The Russo Brothers, who previously directed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, are returning to helm the project, with a script penned by Stephen McFeely. Production is currently underway, building toward what Marvel promises will be a climactic chapter in the ongoing Multiverse Saga.
The cast list revealed by Marvel Studios confirms an epic team-up. Hemsworth’s Thor, one of the last active original Avengers, will fight alongside newer heroes like Anthony Mackie’s Captain America and Letitia Wright’s Black Panther. They will be joined by the full roster of the Fantastic Four, including Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic and Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman. Significantly, the film will also incorporate characters from the Fox-era X-Men films, with Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), and Kelsey Grammer (Beast) all confirmed to return alongside Tatum’s Gambit. The central antagonist driving this unprecedented alliance is Victor Von Doom, with Robert Downey Jr. making a shocking return to the MCU as the villain.
While the official plot remains under wraps, the premise is expected to involve Doctor Doom’s efforts to conquer the multiverse, forcing the disparate teams of heroes to unite against him. The story will likely draw from comic book events like “Doomwar” and deal with the concept of multiversal “incursions,” where realities collide and threaten to annihilate one another.[6][8] Though the confirmed cast is already extensive, some key figures are notably absent from the official announcements. Benedict Cumberbatch, whose Doctor Strange was central to previous multiversal conflicts, has not been officially confirmed, though rumors persist that he will play a pivotal role, possibly even aligning with Doctor Doom.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 18, 2026.
Do you think Channing Tatum would have made a good Thor? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The post Channing Tatum Bombed Audition to Play Another Marvel Superhero appeared first on ComicBook.com.
