20th Century Fox's "X-Men" spin-off movie about the character "Gambit" was originally scheduled for release next year, but in an interview with Collider, producer Simon Kinberg said that filming was pushed back as far as spring of 2016. It would have been the third "X-Men" film released next year after "Deadpool" and "X-Men: Apocalypse."

"We've been spending a lot of time together. Channing, Reid Carolin, Tatum's producing partner, screenwriter Joshua Zetumer, the director, and myself, just working on the script, and we hope to start shooting next spring," Kinberg said.

That confirms that the Oct. 7, 2016 release is no longer possible with a new showing date sometime in 2017. The new movie planned for the date is the "Prometheus" sequel titled "Alien: Covenant," per 20th Century Fox's announcement on Twitter. 

"Gambit's" pre-production was also delayed because Rupert Wyatt, who directed "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," left the team due to scheduling conflicts. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, it was creative differences that caused his exit.

The outlet also reports that director Doug Liman ("Edge of Tommorow, "The Bourne Identity" and "Hancock) is close to helming the Channing Tatum-lead film. Kinberg did not confirm if the new director is indeed Liman but said that an announcement will be released soon.

"We have a director in and I don't know if I'm allowed to say who it is yet because his deal isn't done, but it's somebody we're excited about, and somebody I adore, and hopefully we can make an announcement soon about that," the producer said.

He also described "Gambit" as a "heist movie" and a "sexy thriller" because of the character's fondness for stealing and Tatum's appeal.

Slash Film believes that it is a good move by the producers to not depart from the original comic book character of Remy LeBeau. "Gambit" is a known ladies man in the comics that has a lot of sex appeal. Tatum has called his role in the movie as a guy with a tortured soul and a martial arts badass, per Empire Online.

No other details about the movie have been released, but there are rumors that Lea Seydoux has been offered the role of Bella Donna Boudreaux opposite Tatum. Seydoux told the French media, as translated by Comic Book Movie, that she has not signed to star in "Gambit" but added that she can't make any official announcement because of missing details about the part.