Doug Liman to step in for new Marvel movie

Director Doug Liman is reportedly set to direct the new X-Men spin-off movie, Gambit. Photo / Getty Images

Filmmaker Doug Liman is nearing a deal to step in and take charge of Channing Tatum's upcoming X-Men spin-off Gambit.

The Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt had previously been attached to the superhero project, but he dropped out in September due to a scheduling conflict, and now The Bourne Identity's Liman is in final talks with studio bosses at Fox as his replacement.

Production had initially been due to begin this month, but the shoot is now expected to kick off in March, ahead of an October 2016 release.

Channing will co-produce the movie, in which he will star as Marvel comic book character Remy LeBeau and his mutant alter-ego Gambit, who was previously portrayed by Taylor Kitsch in 2009's X-Men: Origins.

The Magic Mike star has long been interested in tackling the superhero role. Back in 2012, the actor told Total Film magazine, "Gambit's my favourite (comic book hero), 'cause I'm from New Orleans - or around that area. My dad's from New Orleans. No knock on Taylor Kitsch, though, 'cause I actually like his Gambit".

Earlier this year, Tatum insisted fans will be impressed by the storyline for the stand-alone film.

"(Screenwriter) Josh Zetumer just turned in the first draft of the script, and it's killer," he told Empireonline.com.

"None of us were sure how he was going to deal with the X-Men world. But we're going to be changing some of the tropes of these movies. It's always about saving the world, but maybe we're going to shift things a little bit. There's so many ways you can take it. You could do it like Batman Begins, or... go the Guardians Of The Galaxy route. All I can say is I'm super excited."

- WENN