Kitsch had the identical downside Jeremy Renner did through the early 2010s: They’re each character actors who Hollywood insisted on attempting to make the Subsequent Massive Factor. Kitsch proved as a lot after his three huge releases in 2012 all dissatisfied. Reasonably than persevering with additional down the identical rabbit gap, he put his skills to higher use in tasks just like the movie model of queer activist and author Larry Kramer’s celebrated play “The Regular Coronary heart” and “Prime Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski’s true story firefighter drama “Solely the Courageous.”
By the point he emerged as a spotlight within the in any other case lackluster “True Detective” season 2, it was apparent Fox had lengthy deserted Kitsch in favor of pursuing a “Gambit” movie spearheaded by Channing Tatum. Kitsch appeared principally unbothered throughout a 2017 interview the place The Daily Beast requested if he’d gotten a crack on the challenge earlier than Tatum:
“Um … no, I did not have a go. Ever since we completed the film, it is by no means actually been an possibility. However no, I want [Channing] nothing however one of the best. It was a enjoyable character to play, and I realized rather a lot working with Hugh [Jackman] and had an incredible time in Australia. I am certain they’re doing their very own factor with it, and I am certain Channing can be nice.”
Kitch acquits himself in addition to may very well be anticipated through the scorching mess that’s “X-Males Origins: Wolverine,” however a by-product movie centered on his Gambit would’ve in all probability been a misuse of his skills anyway. Gambit is the kind of colourful antihero who can be higher served by an actor and director each keen and in a position to go bigger than life than Kitsch usually does. It is why the since-abandoned model of “Gambit” starring Tatum and directed by Gore Verbinski sounded … nicely, if not essentially good, then a minimum of fairly wild.