Fans Stunned to Learn Lost Icon Was Original Choice for Gambit Before Hollywood A-Listers

Here’s one of those Hollywood ‘what if’ stories that’s probably going to make at least a few fans shout at the ceiling: Josh Holloway (yeah, Sawyer from Lost) was actually cast as Gambit for X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Not in the running. Not just ‘in talks’. Holloway himself says he got the part, complete with congratulatory hugs from Hugh Jackman. And then… well, Hollywood did what it does best.

Josh Holloway: Gambit For a Day

Let’s walk through the timeline, because it’s almost comical in that ‘are you kidding me?’ way:

• Holloway tests for Gambit, right at the height of his Lost fame. Apparently, the chemistry read with Hugh Jackman goes so well that everyone basically declares him the winner then and there.
• According to Holloway, the people in the room (including Jackman) basically said, 'You’re it! I’ll see you on set.'
• By the end of the very same day, the studio boss supposedly picks up the phone and nixes it—all because they want someone '10 years younger.'
• Enter Taylor Kitsch, who nabs the role. (Yeah, the guy from Friday Night Lights.)

Here’s the actual quote from Holloway, just to drive the knife in a little deeper:

'Well Gambit was one. As a matter of fact, I read with Hugh Jackman and got the part. They hugged me, said, "You’re it! I’ll see you on set." By the end of that evening, the studio head had called and said, "We want someone 10 years younger." So they got Taylor Kitsch. Which, I wonder if he could come back? Who knows, but thank you. I learned the card tricks and everything.'

What Could Have Been (And What Actually Happened)

If you saw X-Men Origins: Wolverine back in 2009, you already know Kitsch’s version of Gambit didn’t exactly light up the screen. The movie itself was a critical punching bag—it’s still sitting at 37% on Rotten Tomatoes—and nobody’s arguing that Gambit’s big cinematic debut was a highlight. In fact, the character pretty much vanished for years, despite plenty of fan demand and that doomed Channing Tatum spinoff that never got moving until Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024.

What’s Holloway Been Up To?

Getting bounced from a mutant movie didn’t slow Holloway down. Since then, he’s popped up everywhere: starring in HBO Max’s crime show Duster (that’s a J.J. Abrams joint, so there’s your Lost reunion), guesting on Yellowstone Season 3, and leading the genre series Colony. He even managed a self-aware guest spot in Peacock’s The Paper. Next up, he’s starring in One Second After—so, plenty of work, no mutant powers required.

So, next time you’re rewatching old X-Men movies and wondering what could possibly have improved Origins, just picture Sawyer tossing playing cards and throwing shade in a Louisiana accent. If nothing else, it would’ve been way more interesting.