Ahead of the release of X-Men: Days of Future Past, some news of the franchise’s future has emerged from the present. Erm. Channing Tatum has been confirmed by producer Lauren Shuler Donner to play Gambit either as part of 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse or for an X-Men spin-off movie. Both are viable.

Channing TatumChanning Tatum's dream to play Gambit has come true

Total Film got the scoop. They asked Donner how talks were going with the Chanhole, and she confirmed the news. “It is Channing,” she said, laying rest to the rumors that had been surrounding him and the role. “He’s a rogue. Channing, he’s a rascal, just like Remy LeBeau,” Donner said. “And he can handle the action. We all know that. And he’s got a really good heart.”

At the 2014 MTV Movie Awards last month, Tatum told MTV News that he “would die” to play Gambit, and it looks like he’s getting his wish. “I met with Lauren Shuler Donner. I would love [to]. Gambit’s really the only X-Men that I’ve ever loved. I love them all. They’re all great. I don’t know,” he said. “I guess being from down south… I just related to him. He’s the most un-X-Men X-Men that’s ever been in X-Men, other than maybe Wolverine.”

'X-Men: Days of Future Past' Navigates Complicated Plot and Entertains, Say Critics

The critics have been kind to the upcoming X-Men franchise instalment, ‘Days of Future Past’, guiding it to an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%. Justin Chang of Variety was particularly impressed: “Not since 2003's "X2: X-Men United" has this filmmaker tapped so effortlessly into his talent for comicbook gravitas, his ability to mine emotional resonance, pop poetry and (crucially) sly humor,” he wrote.

Watch the trailer for 'X-Men Days of Future Past'