Fox's X-Men universe just got a little bit bigger. The long-rumored Gambit movie, starring Channing Tatum as the title character, has gotten a green light.

Gambit, aka Remy LeBeau, is a Cajun mutant with the ability to charge any physical matter with kinetic energy. He most frequently uses this ability with a deck of playing cards, which he throws like weapons that explode on contact with their target. He also carries a metal staff that he charges and uses to powerful effect. Gambit, a professional thief in the comics, has an on-again/off-again relationship with the X-Men and with Rogue in particular, who he has romantic affections for.

Gambit first appeared on screen in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, played by Taylor Kitsch. Though Kitsch did a fine job with the role he was given, fans disliked the movie and felt (rightly) that Gambit was shoe-horned needlessly into the plot (like several other mutants).

Despite that movie's failure, fans have waited and hoped that the character might return to the big screen, and finally they're getting their wish. Deadline reports that Robocop writer Josh Zetumer is handling the script, while Tatum will produce with his business partner Reid Carolin, along with Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg. There's no word yet on a director or other cast members.

Perhaps most interesting to fans will be this tidbit: the script Zetumer is writing is based on a treatment by none other than Chris Claremont — the man who created the character (along with artist Jim Lee) back in 1990.

Photo: Gage Skidmore (cropped)