Marvel Studios officially introduced several beloved characters to theMCUthis year, but one has clearly risen to the top as the best character of 2024.The Multiverse Sagagot off to a rocky start with a handful of projects getting mixed audience reception, but 2024 has been a year of redemption for the studio with some extremely well-received releases. Much of this success has to be attributed toMarvel Studios’ debut of the X-Menand the inclusion of some beloved characters in the franchise.
Since Disney completed their acquisition of Fox in 2019, 2024 was the first year that the MCU released projects that actually centered around the X-Men. Reimagining the X-Men’s stories while still staying true to their roots has been a huge success with fans, and even helped to garner newfound interest among casual viewers. It is nice to finally have Marvel’s spin on iconic X-Men characters like Magneto and Cyclops, ahead of their arrival in the X-Men’supcoming Marvel releases. But really, it wasone unexpected character has come out on top as the studio’s best character of the year.
Gambit Has Already Been The Best Part Of 2 Marvel Releases In 2024
X-Men ‘97 and Deadpool & Wolverine Were Wildly Successful
Serving as a direct continuation of the original ’90s animated series,X-Men ‘97introduces modern-day audiences to the students of Charles Xavier. The likes of Wolverine and Storm will always be stand-outs amongst the group, butGambit ended up having one of the largest impacts on the series. He is a character that usually plays more of a background role in otherX-Menprojects, butX-Men ‘97gave him his time in the spotlight. His huge sacrifice in episode 5 is one of the show’s most memorable and heartbreaking moments.
Channing Tatum’s Possible Gambit Movie Should Revive A Canceled Plot After A 2024 Marvel Release Showed It Works
A deleted Deadpool & Wolverine scene teased Channing Tatum’s Gambit return and a new film for him could revive a plot from his canceled solo movie.
What makes 2024 a great year for Gambit is that hisX-Men ‘97success was followed up by an unexpected cameo role.Deadpool & Wolverinewas one of the most highly-anticipated Marvel projects in a very long time, and it did not disappoint. There were various cameos from Marvel Fox characters, including a surprise one by Gambit.Channing Tatum was previously cast by Fox to portray the mutant in acanceled live-action Gambit movie, but the solo film never came to fruition. Tatum’s cameo wasn’t just a rewarding moment for the actor and longtime fans, but it continued Gambit’s amazing 2024 legacy.
Why Gambit Is So Beloved
Gambit Got Two Excellent Portrayals This Year
Gambit originally drew viewers in because of his charisma. He stands out amongst the team because of his notable accent and charm. However,X-Men ‘97showed a different side of Remy LeBeau that had fans empathizing with him. The viewer can see Gambit’s love for Rogue, even accepting the fact that he would never be with her if it was what was best for her. Of course, his death was a huge talking point for the series, butit was the noble way that he sacrificed himself that truly stuck with viewers.
Gambit is also one of those heroes that just comes off as cool. From his swept-up hair to his deadly cards, everything about Gambit’s visual design works so well with who he is as a character.Tatum’s portrayal of him inDeadpool & Wolverineteased the potential that Gambit has in live-action fight sequences.A big factor behind Gambit’s 2024 rise in popularity is thanks to Tatum. Although his Gambit serves as some comic relief, fans could really tell the care and dedication that Tatum had for the character, making him a delight to watch on screen.
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition Finally Teams Gambit Up With The Avengers
The Disney+ Show Introduces Gambit To A New Demographic
There is one more Gambit appearance in 2024to talk about with the release ofLEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition.The animated special released on October 18and tells the story of a superhero fan who accidentally unleashes a villain who wants to get rid of the Avengers. In the trailer, Gambit is shown playing cards with Black Widow and Thor. Though not an official MCU entry,Mission Demolitionwill give fans a taste of what a Gambit and Avengers team-up would look like.
The most crucial part of the newest LEGO Marvel entry is that it introduces Gambit to yet another audience demographic.X-Men ‘97connected Gambit to the nostalgic fans of the original animated series, whileDeadpool & Wolverinehelped Gambit develop a new fanbase. ThroughMission Demolition,Marvel canfamiliarize the kid audience with Gambit. Marvel has found an unlikely superstar in Gambit, and his popularity hopefully means that fans will see him again in theMCU’s future.
