SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Channing Tatum expressed his gratitude on social media Monday night, thanking Ryan Reynolds for his cameo appearance as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine. Tatum acknowledged that he will be indebted to Reynolds “probably forever.”
In Deadpool & Wolverine, Tatum finally portrays the X-Men mutant Gambit, a character he and his producing partner, Reid Carolin, had been developing for a standalone film with 20th Century Fox. However, their plans were derailed by the Disney-Fox merger in 2019. Despite this setback, Gambit has now made his debut on the big screen.
Tatum shared two side-by-side photos on social media: one from nearly a decade ago at Comic-Con when Reynolds first showcased Deadpool, and another from last weekend when the Deadpool & Wolverine cast surprised fans with multiple cameo appearances.
“These pictures are almost 10 years apart to the day. I was in the audience when Ryan Reynolds first revealed ‘Deadpool’ to the world. I remember rushing backstage, hugging him, and saying, ‘Holy shit, you did it, man. It’s perfect,'” Tatum recalled. “Back then, I barely knew him, but now I can say that no one in this industry has supported me more than @VancityReynolds.”
Tatum expressed how much it meant to him to finally bring Gambit to life, admitting that he had thought the character was lost forever. He credited Reynolds for fighting for him and Gambit.
“I will owe him probably forever,” Tatum said. “I’m not sure how I could ever repay him for what this has meant to me. I love you, buddy.”
Tatum also praised Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy, calling him “a truly brilliant creator on every single level.”
Reflecting on his experience, Tatum concluded, “All things happen for a reason. I’m so grateful to be in this movie. It’s a masterpiece, in my opinion, and just pure badass joy. I was literally screaming in the theater. Let’s go!”
Deadpool & Wolverine is now playing in theaters.
