Earlier this week, we reported that 20th Century Fox was banking big on Gambit starring Channing Tatum. Director Rupert Wyatt was gearing up to start shooting in Louisiana in October with a budget of $154 million, and the studio was likely hoping this would be their Wolverine replacement since Hugh Jackman is hanging up the claws after the character’s next solo picture.

Now it looks like Gambit could be in serious jeopardy as The Wrap is reporting that Tatum’s deal is in danger of falling apart, and he’s planning to exit the project. That’s incredibly shocking since he’s been such a major cheerleader for the film. The actor has been connected to the project since mid-2014, and came out on stage in Hall H at Comic-Con a few weeks ago as part of 20th Century Fox’s presentation. This wasn’t a big of last-minute casting; Tatum was a key piece of the puzzle.

According to The Wrap, Tatum isn’t out yet as “reps are still in active discussions with the studio but acknowledged that ‘something is up.’” It’s also possible that Tatum could stay on board in a producing capacity, but it’s odd that he would exit the role with filming only a few months away, and the October 7, 2016 release date having been set since this past January.

The Wrap speculates that Tatum’s “larger ambitions” to direct may be factoring into his decision to exit Gambit. In a recent Grantland profile, Gambit co-producer Reid Carolin says he and Tatum are gearing up to make their directorial debut on Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, so I suppose it’s possible that the actor wanted more time to focus on that.

It’s also possible that Tatum is negotiating in public, but he’s doing it when the project is already in the midst of serious pre-production as Wyatt was testing actresses for the female lead (including Lea Seydoux). It’s going to be a bit of a scramble to find a replacement if they can’t nail down Tatum for the role.

If he does leave, who do you want to see as Gambit? Sound off in the comments.