X-Men: Apocalypse to Feature Nightcrawler and Gambit

X-Men: Days of Future Past hasn’t even been released yet, and Fox is already talking about their 2016 X-Men: Apocalypse movie. Writer Simon Kinberg and director Bryan Singer have thrown out some interesting hints as they continue to promote Future Past, including the timeline of the movies.

The original X-Men trilogy kicked off in the 90s, while First Class was in the 60s. Days of Future Past takes place in the 70s, and Singer said that he wants to explore where some familiar characters were at in their lives in the 80s.

Singer said “I’m excited because I want to start introducing familiar characters at different ages and also explore the ‘80s.” He also mentioned that he wants Nightcrawler and Gambit to appear in the movie.

Of course, Nightcrawler appeared in X2 and Gambit appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but there is a good chance both roles are recast. Alan Cummings was fantastic as Nightcrawler, and while I liked Taylor Kitsch as Gambit, they likely want to erase that movie’s memory from minds.

Channing Tatum has made it clear that he wants to play Gambit in the X-Men franchise and it sounds like he will get the job. “I’m dying to do a Gambit movie with Channing Tatum,” producer Lauren Shuler told Empire magazine. “That doesn’t have to be a great big movie. It’s a thief in New Orleans, it’s a whole different story. He’s on board, and I have to get the studio on board. How can anyone resist Channing? He’s such a sweetheart.” “

So, if Tatum is actually on-board, and Bryan Singer announced that Gambit will appear in X-Men: Apocalypse, then it is almost assumed that Channing Tatum is the top bet to appear in the movie as the Cajun mutant.

Other actors who are appearing in X-Men: Apocalypse include James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), and Nicholas Hoult (The Beast). With Nightcrawler appearing, I have to wonder if they will examine his relationship with Mystique.

One last bit of information that came out this week about X-Men: Apocalypse came from Patrick Stewart, who said that he might be returning as well, although how the franchise could accomplish that is anyone’s guess. Since it is based on the Age of Apocalypse storyline “somewhat,” there is always the chance of an alternate universe, or at least a blurring of lines.

X-Men: Days of Future Past hits theaters on May 23, and X-Men: Apocalypse lands on May 27, 2016.