AceShowbiz -

Rupert Wyatt's "Gambit (2016)" should have moved forward as it is expected to begin production soon, but the movie has yet to tap any actor besides Channing Tatum. A report from Deadline says that Lea Seydoux has been offered to star in the X-Men spin-off film.

Seydoux beat out several other actresses for the role including Rebecca Ferguson ("Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation") and Abbey Lee ("Mad Max: Fury Road"). Ferguson dropped out of contention to take a role in "The Girl on the Train".

In the upcoming movie, Seydoux will play Belladonna Boudreaux a.k.a. Bella. In the comics, Bella is a childhood friend of Gambit (Tatum). They first meet as part of rival organizations, the Assassin's Guild (Bella) and the Thieves' Guild (Gambit). Their fathers ask the two to get married in an attempt to create peace between the two groups. However, an unlikely tragedy happens and leaves them in a complicated relationship.

With her French background, Seydoux is a likely choice for the role as the character is expected to have a natural Cajun accent. Seydoux's credits are "Inglourious Basterds", "Midnight in Paris" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel". Seydoux won great critical praise for her role in "Blue is the Warmest Color". She will next be seen in "Spectre" alongside Daniel Craig.

"Gambit" is produced by Lauren Shuler Donner, Tatum, Reid Carolin and Simon Kinberg. Written by Joshua Zetumer, the mutant movie is slated for a release in North America on October 7, 2016.