It looks like 20th Century Fox is ready to press ahead with its oft-delayed X-Men spinoff Gambit, with Deadline reporting that Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean, A Cure For Wellness) is in talks to direct the solo movie.

Should Verbinski sign on to the project, he would become its third director after Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow), both of whom left the director’s chair due to creative differences with Fox.

The script for Gambit has been penned by Josh Zetumer, while Channing Tatum is attached to star in the lead role of the car-throwing Cajun mutant Remy LeBeau, and will also produce with Reid Carolin of Free Association. Tatum has also recently revealed that they decided to retool the project following the success of Deadpool and Logan.

Meanwhile, last month we got an alleged plot breakdown for Gambit, which suggested that Nathaniel Essex – a.k.a. Mister Sinister – will feature as the primary villain the oft-delayed spinoff, and now Splash Report is claimng that Fox wants Daniel Craig for the role, both in Gambit and future X-Men movies.

As yet, we’ve had nothing in the way confirmation on these plot details or Mister Sinister’s inclusion, and of course with Verbinski now seemingly coming on board to direct, it’s entirely possible that the filmmaker will shake things up story and/or casting-wise. So, it’s probably wise to treat this firmly as a rumour for the time being.

What do you make of Gore Verbinski as a choice of director for Gambit? And would Daniel Craig be a good fit for Mister Sinister? Let us know your thoughts in the comments…