The "Gambit" solo movie has had more than its share of problems with departures from the project.
At first, lead actor Channing Tatum actually left the project but eventually returned. Then, Rupert Wyatt vacated the director's chair.
The choice for a new director may make or break the project and thus, the decision is very important at this point and aside from "The Bourne Identity" director Doug Liman, Heroic Hollywood mentioned the names Shane Black and Joe Cornish.
Cornish would be a surprise since his only directorial credit was "Attack The Block." However, he did get story and screenplay credit in the recently released "Ant Man." This may be the ace in his favor.
Shane Black is a more interesting choice, though. Black is a close friend of Robert Downey, Jr and he also helmed "Iron Man 3" which is still the standard for solo superhero movie box-office takes at a staggering $1.2 billion.
If Black were to take the reins, it might give credence to the speculation that the tone of the "Gambit" movie would be light and humorous as opposed to the grim and apocalyptic vibe of the Bryan Singer "X-Men" films.
It figures since Channing Tatum may well be groomed to be Fox's answer to Robert Downey, Jr. himself. Gambit, according to devout fans at Marvel Heroes, has similar traits to how Downey's version of Tony Stark.
"The reason Gambit has always been appealing is a few things, in personality - it's that he has a sense of humor, but isn't a total clown like New Deadpool or Spiderman," user IceyOne said. "He would have a cunning, intelligent side, and as a thief he really should. Gambit written as an idiot just doesn't make any sense. Being a good thief AND a good gambler both require lots of cunning, he'd be terrible at either role if he wasn't smart."
With Channing Tatum and Ryan Reynolds set to become the biggest stars of the Fox superhero franchise, it could mark a whole shift in their movies.