AceShowbiz -

After Channing Tatum sealed a deal with 20th Century Fox to star in the highly anticipated "Gambit (2016)", the studio is looking for its female lead. According to Deadline, Rebecca Ferguson (II) ("Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation"), Lea Seydoux ("Spectre") and Abbey Lee Kershaw ("Mad Max: Fury Road") are on the shortlist, competing for the role of Belladonna Boudreaux a.k.a. Bella.

Bella was Gambit's love since childhood. She later gained powers of her own and became the head of the Assassin's Guild. Gambit a.k.a. Remy LeBeau, meanwhile, was the head of the Thieves Guild. Bella and Gambit were originally arranged to be married in an attempt to unite Assassin's Guild and Thieves Guild.

Earlier this month, Channing officially closed a deal to star in "Gambit" following rumors he exited the project after failing to reach negotiations deal with Fox. According to The Hollywood Reporter, "such back-and-forth is a normal part of top-level talent dealmaking. Tatum's participation hardly was in any real danger because the actor already had invested quite a bit in the superhero part. Tatum has been attached to the movie (loosely then officially) as both actor and producer for a few years."

Directed by Rupert Wyatt, the "X-Men" spin-off is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on October 7, 2016.