Another source said that the shooting schedule around Mardi Gras caused the reshuffling. Either way, it became a conflict for Wyatt, who had to exit.

"I was very much looking forward to working with my friend Channing and the team at Fox, but regrettably a push in the start date now conflicts with another project," said Wyatt in a statement. "I thank them for the opportunity, and I know that Gambit will make a terrific film."

The movie project is an important one for the studio, which is hoping that it launches onto the screen as an important character as Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, one of the lynchpins of the X-Men universe.

Josh Zetumer penned the script for the film, based on a treatment by Gambit co-creator Chris Claremont. Tatum, Reid Carolin, Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg are producing.

Wyatt also directed Rise of the Planet of the Apes for Fox.