Gambit is one of the most intriguing characters in the X-Men franchise, and with his recent induction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s worth looking back at some of his best lines from movies and TV shows. Gambit was originally created for the Uncanny X-Men comics, where the character debuted in issue #266 in 1990. After that, it wasn’t long before the character made his way to the small screen, appearing on the X-Men: The Animated Series cartoon which ran from 1992 to 1997.
However, since then, the character has had precious few appearances in film and TV, despite promises for a Gambit movie from Fox. The character has been an essential part of the heroic team of mutants, and at times, he has struck out on his own to lead other super teams, but his time on the big and small screen has been far less expansive. That being said, his recent appearance in the MCU with Deadpool & Wolverine has seen the character get a shot at the spotlight once again, and in typical Gambit fashion, they became a standout part of the events.
10 “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this? Woo, I’m about to make a name for myself here.”
Deadpool & Wolverine
This line is beautiful for a couple of reasons. First, the actor playing Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, Channing Tatum, was initially announced to be playing the character in a standalone movie all the way back in 2014. At the time, Fox was hoping to build out their X-Men universe with multiple spin-off projects, but due to delays and development issues, the Gambit movie kept being pushed back. After a lengthy period with no updates, Fox was ultimately sold to Disney in 2019, and it looked like the dream of seeing Tatum play Gambit was forever over.
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However, Deadpool & Wolverine did a lot to send off the heroes from former Marvel projects down through the years, and they managed to get Tatum in the full costume, playing the iconic hero that he was supposed to play since 10 years prior. With that in mind, this line becomes both a meta reference, and potentially something prophetic if Channing Tatum is now given the opportunity to play Gambit again in the MCU. And considering the outcry of support, there’s a good chance it could happen.
9 “Course not, Gambit’s a natural athlete.”
X-Men: The Animated Series
Remy LeBeau, aka Gambit, is a naturally quirky character. They tend to speak about themselves in the third person, they often appear extremely confident, to the point it could be considered cocky, and they tend to only see the things they want to see in life. In X-Men: The Animated Series, all of these attributes shone through as Chris Potter voiced the character, and delivered an outstanding performance as the Gambit. Even when the character falls flat on their face, literally, they are bright, cheerful, and full of self-confidence.
The above line is delivered just after the character is seen skiing on a slope, and falls with absolutely no grace whatsoever, into the snow. However, despite his blunder, Gambit is more than happy to lok up at his friends and assert his natural abilities. This is a part of the character’s charm, and it makes them more interesting and entertaining despite the clearly delusional view they may have of themselves.
8 “If I learnt anything about life, it’s this: always play the hand you’re dealt. My name is Gambit… and I play for keeps.”
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Trailer)
In 2009, Gambit got his first official live-action adaptation. While it was not in one of the mainline X-Men movies, it was in a notable entry, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where he appeared opposite Hugh Jackman’s Logan, aka Wolverine. Taylor Kitsch has the distinct honor of being the first actor to play the character in live-action, and up until 2024, when Tatum appeared in the MCU, he remained the only person to do so. Even so, some of the character’s best lines never actually made it into the movie, with this particular piece of dialogue only appearing in the promotional trailers.
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Despite that, the line remains one of the most powerful and best lines for defining the character to date. Considering his powers, which allow Gambit to manipulate kinetic energy, his favorite tool to siphon his powers through is the average, unassuming, playing cards. With that in mind, this line delivery, and the reference to playing cards makes it a clear and distinct line that hits harder because of who he is as a character.
7 “You can drain my energy any time, Chère. Gambit has plenty.”
X-Men: The Animated Series
Highlighting a very different side to the character than his more confrontational and aggressive lines above, Gambit is also a hopeless romantic. For much of X-Men: The Animated Series’ run, he pursues Rogue, professing his deep affection and desire for the Southern Belle. Gambit comes from New Orleans, and he may feel a connection to Rogue because of the similarities in their cultures, but he is also much more flirtatious and forward in his approach. Aside from his trademark sentimental nickname for Rogue, Chère, he makes it clear that he’d like more from their partnership.
However, Rogue’s mutant powers present a unique challenge, as the slightest touch from her anywhere can drain the powers and life force of the other person. While it’s sweet that Gambit wishes to relinquish his energy to Rogue, the fact is that it would be impossible for the pair to actually pursue a romantic relationship. Gambit may have plenty of energy, but Rogue’s powers would quickly change that, and leave Gambit considerably less able to flirt.
6 “Gambit can’t help but notice you saved him chère and not Wolverine, must be my way with women.”
X-Men: The Animated Series
Despite the hopelessness of the relationship between Gambit and Rogue, there is still some love there on both sides. While the above line plays up on Gambit’s flirtatious nature, it also offers more sentimentality and sincerity than some of his other lines. After being saved by his beloved Rogue, Gambit makes a point of highlighting her choice to save him, over their teammate, Wolverine. Then, he playfully suggests it’s down to how alluring he is.
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This is a great line that shows multiple sides to Gambit. While he puts up a front of confidence, flirtatiousness, and an unwavering nature, it still means a lot to him when someone else shows him kindness, or affection. The line has his trademark cockiness, but it’s also deeper, as this can be seen as a way for him to thank and connect with the person who means the most to him. And
5 “The Name’s Gambit, Mon Ami. Remember It.”
X-Men ’97
In 2024, the animated show was revived under the leadership of Marvel Studios, with the show picking up just as the events of the earlier 1990s series had ended. X-Men ’97 quickly became a hit, praised for the animation, the storytelling, and the way that it adapted characters who meant so much to young audiences of the 1990s, and would now be grown up fans of the MCU and these characters. Throughout the series, things get darker than anything the original series had, and the stakes get higher.
This line is an iconic part of the show, in X-Men ’97 season 1, episode 5, “Remember It.” The episode sees Gambit, now played by A.J. LoCascio, bravely step up to fight a powerful threat, and put his life on the line for his friends. As he clearly states who he is, he barks the command to remember his name, which is then referenced in the episode title. And considering how these events play out in the episode, it’s for a good reason that the heroic Gambit gets to have his line immortalized in the show’s title.
4 “With style, Petite. With style.”
X-Men: The Animated Series
Returning to the original animated series, Gambit is shown to be one of the more powerful mutants in the show. In comics, his powers are shown to be even more significant, as his ability to manipulate energy extends to anything, not just cards, which helps to highlight what this hero is capable of. Much more than simple card tricks, he is able to push his powers to do pretty much anything he can imagine.
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Within the series, this same power is glimpsed, and when Gambit performs an action so impressive that it has Rogue questioning how it was even possible, the always cool character responds with his simple characteristic wit. Rather than diving deep in explanations, or getting bogged down in the details, Gambit is happy to leave his beloved impressed without any details. Like many great magicians, he is unwilling to reveal his secrets, and honestly, it just makes him all the more impressive.
3 “See, the only difference between a winner and a loser is character. Every man has a price to charge, and a price to pay. Yeah, I’ve paid mine in spades.”
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Once again, Tyler Kitsch steals the show in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but this time the line did make it into the final cut. The way the character is presented in this film is much less playful and flirtatious compared to his animated counterpart, but he remains powerful and wise. Remy LeBeau occasionally drops these lines that are full of rich lessons, packaged in a poetic way that again ties into the characters’ powers and chosen weapons.
The writing for Kitsch’s lines makes it all the more impressive, with dialogue that could be seen as almost pun-like, but thanks to Kitsch’s delivery of those same lines, it becomes much more weighty. He references his gambling hobby, and his cards, but the deeper message is one that is important to Logan and others who appear in the movie. As the story explores redemption, the search for identity, and what it means to be a hero, or a winner in this case, Remy provides some incredible and insightful dialogue.
2 “I guess peace don’t come to the wicked-lookin’.”
X-Men: The Animated Series
However, it’s important to note that the comedy and playful nature of Gambit is a pivotal part of the character. For that reason, this line which he delivers to Nightcrawler, a mutant whose mutation means they were born with blue skin, three fingers and toes, and a long horn-tipped tail, is another worthy entry. After Nightcrawler goes into the heartbreaking backstory of his life, and how he was treated poorly everywhere that he has been, Gambit tries to defuse the tension, and states his opinion with the above line.
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It could be seen as cruel, or mean, but Gambit is neither of those things. He is a joker, and someone who likes to boil things down to their simplest form. Rather than beating around the bush, or telling long-winded stories, he keeps things succinct, and chooses to simplify wherever possible. With that in mind, he applies an old adage, and adapts it to create some humor, but also acknowledges what Nightcrawler has said.
1 “The name’s Remy Lebeau. “Le Diable Blanc.” But you can call me The Gambit.”
Deadpool & Wolverine
Finally, one of the best and brightest lines for the character comes in Deadpool & Wolverine, as the character makes his on-screen debut. While this line could be seen as unassuming, and largely a simple introduction, it’s more valuable than that when considered in context with everything else stated above, especially the first entry, where Tatum’s Gambit states that he is going to “make a name for himself.” In this simple scene, Tatum has the opportunity to introduce the character, by his birth name, by the title that is often tied to the character in comics, and by his superhero name.
Stating these three points all at once, he firmly establishes that he is this character. Again, this is great for the meta context, as Tatum has long been waiting to embrace the role, but it’s also just the perfect way to bring the character into the MCU for the first time. Technically, the line comes at an earlier point in the movie, Deadpool & Wolverine, but this is arguably the moment that Tatum became Gambit officially, and made a name for himself.
