By Owen Williams | Posted 13 Nov 2015

With original director Rupert Wyatt departing the project two months ago, it was looking as if the X-Men spin-off Gambit may not make its planned release date of October next year. Channing Tatum's superheroics should now be back on schedule, however, with Edge Of Tomorrow director Doug Liman in final talks to step aboard.

Liman already has a strong relationship with Fox having made Mr & Mrs Smith and Jumper with the studio to solid box office results. He’s also, clearly, experienced with both big name talent and effects. Gambit is not his first brush with a Fox/Marvel project either: he was on the shortlist to direct The Wolverine after Darren Aronofsky dropped out. That gig was ultimately won by James Mangold.

Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner remain producers on the project, which Tatum has been chasing for some years. Josh Zetumer wrote the screenplay, based on a treatment from comic book stalwart Chris Claremont. It's planned as a stand-alone film which, in Tatum’s opinion, should present a twist on the usual superhero outing. "He's not your typical hero," he says of the the smooth-talking, kinetic energy-utilising Cajun X-rebel also known as Remy LeBeau. "He’s a thief. He walks on the grey."

The only other cast member we currently know about is Léa Seydoux who'll be Gambit's long-term friend and love-interest Bella Donna Boudreaux. There's much to do in a very short space of time then, if Gambit is to meet that October 2016 deadline. Expect a flurry of updates in the coming weeks.