Ever since Channing Tatum nearly walked away from Gambit, Lea Seydoux (Spectre, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) was among one of the frontrunners for the female lead. Tatum would eventually stay on to play the titular character after working out a new deal, but actresses would join Seydoux for the opportunity to star opposite the 21 Jump Street actor. Among those female lead shortlist names were Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, The Girl on the Train) and Abbey Lee (Mad Max: Fury Road, Neon Demon). Chemistry tests were held last week to see who would be best suited for the role of Belladonna Boudreaux aka Bella, but with Ferguson now in talks for The Girl on the Train, it would come down to either Seydoux or Lee.

Now there is confirmation that Seydoux will star in her third big budget blockbuster, by entering Fox’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. More on this story below.

Deadline reports that Seydoux won the hotly contested role.

The story of Bella is a complicated one, but their relationship is something that looks like it came out of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Gambit and Bella started out as best friends, but little did they know, they both came from rival Guilds. Gambit is associated with the Thieves Guild, while Belladonna has a connection to the Assassin’s Guild. In an attempt to unite the two guilds into one, and quell the rivalry, their fathers arranged the two to be married. But Bella’s brother had challenged Remy to a fight, and Remy killed him. As punishment, Gambit was exiled from New Orleans.

According to The Wrap, insiders close to the project say they were hesitant about Seydoux being able to pull off a Cajun accent, but they were apparently impressed with what she was able to do during her test.

As for Seydoux, her other credits include Blue is the Warmest Color, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Midnight in Paris. She can next be seen starring alongside Daniel Craig in the newest James Bond film Spectre.

Rupert Wyatt directs, using a script written by RoboCop (2014) scribe Josh Zetumer based on a treatment penned by Chris Claremont. Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner are producing. Filming is expected to begin in the fall.

Fox will release Gambit into theaters on October 7, 2016.

[Sources: Deadline | The Wrap]