Who Should Play Gambit? Original Voice Actor Chris Potter Names His MCU Pick

The search for the definitive live-action Remy LeBeau continues to capture the imagination of fans, and now, a legend from the character’s history has weighed in. Chris Potter, who originally voiced Gambit in the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series, has named his dream choice for the Gambit MCU reboot: Austin Butler.

Why Austin Butler is the Perfect Choice for Gambit

During a panel at Tampa Bay Comic Con, Potter expressed his strong endorsement for the Dune: Part Two star. When discussing the future of the character, Potter noted, "I really like Austin Butler, though. I could see him play a good Gambit. And I could play his grandfather."

This endorsement carries significant weight given Potter’s long-standing connection to the franchise. Having transitioned from voicing Gambit to playing Cable in X-Men ’97, Potter understands the nuance required to bring a mutant with such high charisma and complex backstory to life. His choice of Butler suggests a shift toward an actor who can balance the character’s intense, brooding energy with the suave charm required of the Cajun thief.

A History of What Could Have Been

Potter’s interest in the character goes back much further than his voice work. During the panel, he revealed a surprising secret from his early career:

• He originally auditioned for the role of Cyclops in the first live-action X-Men film.
• He confessed he didn’t actually want to play Scott Summers, but was secretly holding out for a chance at Gambit.
• He believed that Gambit was a "slam dunk" to appear in the second installment of the original trilogy, though it never came to fruition.

This revelation highlights just how long the X-Men community has been clamoring for a proper, screen-accurate representation of the mutant, despite his absence from the original Fox trilogy.

The Future of Gambit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The landscape for the Gambit MCU journey is currently in flux. While Channing Tatum recently delivered a crowd-pleasing performance as the card-throwing mutant in Deadpool & Wolverine—and is slated to return in Avengers: Doomsday—the full scope of the X-Men reboot remains a mystery.

"It just seemed like a slam dunk that Gambit would be in the second movie," Potter remarked, reflecting on his decades-long wait to see the character get his due on the big screen.

With Marvel Studios slowly piecing together its mutant roster, Potter’s suggestion of Austin Butler offers a fascinating alternative. Whether Marvel sticks with established favorites or looks for a fresh face to lead the X-Men reboot, the legacy of the character remains as vital as ever.

Source: Read Original Article