Doug Liman Close To Signing To Direct Gambit

Time is of the essence for the Gambit movie starring Channing Tatum. That’s because it’s due out next fall, which means it has to get moving soon. That wasn’t a problem until original director Rupert Wyatt left the film, but Fox may have found a replacement.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Doug Liman is close to signing to direct Gambit, which should keep the movie on target for its October 7, 2016 release. Other potential candidates mentioned by THR were Joe Cornish, Shane Black and F. Gary Gray, but it appears the man known for helming The Bourne Identity and Mr. & Mrs. Smith will get the job.

Liman hasn’t taken the dive into super hero movies yet, but he does have genre cred from directing both Jumper (which is kind of, sort of like a super hero movie) and Edge of Tomorrow. Assuming Gambit stays on schedule, it will actually beat the filmmaker’s most recent project, Mena, to theaters, as the Tom Cruise-starring thriller doesn’t release until January 2017.

Come to think of it, that’s two movies in a row that Liman has done with Cruise. Should we expect a cameo from him in Gambit? Just kidding … probably.