RUMOR: Is Aaron Johnson Gambit?

ComicBookMovie was able to find out from foreign news sources that actor Alex González (Milk) has joined X-Men First Class playing Riptide best known for being in the Marauders. While interesting, it's more where the character fits in the X-Men universe that could give us more clues on the film's story. It's not shocking that Fox would be adding some lesser known mutants in the film but a Marauder? This could very well could mean the previous rumors of Mr. Sinister and Gambit being in the film more likely. Both Gambit and Mystique were involved in the group and could give us the origin of the thief turned X-Men. It leads me to believe that Gambit is going to be in this film.


Previously Aaron Johnson had been rumored for the part of Scott Summers better known as Cyclops but it had been established the character wouldn't be in the film. There were confirmations of sorts that Bryan Singer while testing actors for Jack The Giant Killer was also having them read for First Class roles (Johnson being one of those actors). Gambit is the best known Cajun mutant and the open casting call for actors who can do a Cajun accent fueled rumors. That along with Johnson testing for the film and being known for his uncanny American accents. He very well could have tested for Remy LeBeau not Cyclops.


Fox also seems to be hell bent on mining the X-Men universe for all that it's worth so it's possible we could see a Gambit film in the future. While most remember Taylor Kitsch playing Remy in Wolverine he has been busy since then. He's lined himself in a trilogy of John Carter of Mars films for Disney and is starring in the alien invasion film Battleship which could also spawn sequels. It seems Taylor could be a bit too pricey/busy for 20th Century Fox if they ever did to decide to make a Gambit spin-off. I wouldn't be surprised if they've already re-casted the role. It's likely they would be looking at younger actors with less franchises on their plate. Johnson being the best example of who they could be looking for since he only has Kick-Ass at this point.

UPDATE: Gambit is not in First Class but it's possible that the character could be used in First Class 2. Both Bryan Singer and Matthew Vaughn have been lobbing for the character for previous films. Singer since X1 and even using Gambit's real name Remy in a mutant list in X2. When Vaughn was originally directing X3 he had planned on using Gambit as well. As Gambit has yet to be used in the first three X-Men films it's possible like Emma Frost he could be reintroduced. Not to mention he'd be a great fit for the 60's setting. I'll have to take another look at First Class when it's on DVD as he may have been in the Hellfire Club Casino but not noticed yet.