Channing Tatum is the latest big-name signing to the X-Men movie franchise - and will be playing card-wielding mutant superhero Gambit.

The news of Chan The Man's recruitment to 20th Century Fox's biggest property was revealed by producer Lauren Schuler Donner on the red carpet at the X-Men: Days Of Future Past premiere in London.

She told Total Film: "Yes, it's Channing. It is Channing. Yes, yes."

Gambit is a Louisiana-born, Cajun accented former professional thief who is recruited to the X-Men, with the character's real name being Remy LeBeau.

Donner continued: "He's a rogue. Channing, he's a rascal, just like Remy LeBeau. And he can handle the action, well all know that, and he's got a real good heart because I know him personally.

"He'll be great for Gambit. And he's a southerner... he understands that world, and you know Gambit loves New Orleans."

There has been speculation that Tatum is set to star in a solo movie as the kinetic-energy manipulating mutant, but this has not been confirmed.