It’s unclear what the future holds for Channing Tatum’s Gambit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after its triumphant debut in Deadpool and Wolverinebut the film’s actor, writer and executive producer Ryan Reynolds says Marvel is “obsessed” with this performance. Some might say this is a good sign.

“I honestly don’t know what goes on behind closed doors during the accounting sessions at Marvel, but I do know that they are obsessed with him in that role,” Reynolds says of Tatum’s card-slinging Cajun mutant on Entertainment weekly‘S Award winner podcast. “It’s kind of like the same situation I’ve been through. Once you show it works well, that’s really what they need. Sometimes they just need to see it in action.”

Reynolds is referring to the test footage of his Deadpool that leaked in 2014 and proved to the studio that there was enough hype to move forward with a film. Earlier this year, Reynolds admitted that he “may have provided assistance” in that leak. He hopes in a similar way Deadpool and Wolverine could be a proof of concept for Marvel to bring back Tatum as Gambit.

“And Channing is so unique in the way he plays that character,” Reynolds continues, “but also physically he is so beautiful, the way he moves and the way he can take steps.”

Before Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, the studio that originally owned the film rights to Marvel heroes like the . X-team with the power to convert potential energy into kinetic energy. In other words, he imbues everything he touches with an explosive charge, usually using a deck of playing cards and a staff as his signature offensive weapons.

Development on the film was halted completely when Disney included Fox in the roster, but Reynolds and director Shawn Levy were able to make Tatum realize his dream of playing the character in the film. Deadpool and Wolverinewhich is also an ode to the Fox era of Marvel films. The team has posted a not-quite-deleted scene online to show Gambit ultimately surviving. (The scene appeared on a small screen in the background of some scene, but went largely unnoticed until Reynolds & co. released it in full online.)

However, it is not yet known whether another attempt is in store for Tatum. “I hope so,” Reynolds says.

Listen to the full version from EW Award winner podcast episode featuring Reynolds, Levy and Hugh Jackman as they discuss Deadpool and Wolverineincluding the time they tried to get Nicolas Cage back as Ghost Rider.