Earlier this year, many comic-book fans were absolutely stunned by Logan, the final Wolverine film that unleashed the character without the restrictions of a PG-13 rating. The movie gave emotional closure to a character who has appeared on screen for almost 20 years but also introduced us to a newcomer, X-23 played by a young actress named Dafne Keen.
The little girl who had appeared in almost zero movies prior to Logan showed that she had real acting chops despite barely speaking for more than half of the movie. The character of Laura/X-23 is the child of Wolverine meaning she mimics both his healing abilities and also his ability to make claws fly out of his knuckles to mutilate foes. The difference being that she is only equipped with two claws per hand and has one claw on each foot, something Wolverine doesn't have.
The character instantly resonated with viewers and since Hugh Jackman has hung up the claws, many are wondering if X-23 will fill his place. While we don't know if she's completely replacing Wolverine, an X-23 film is in the works from The Wolverine and Logan director James Mangold.
Mangold confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that there is indeed a script for an X-23 movie in the works and Patty Jenkins' success with Wonder Woman has only helped but prove that female-led films can be major hits.
"Patty's success with that film only solidifies more for studios that there's less to fear with a female protagonist," says Mangold. "The more that keeps getting hit home, that ends up giving me more space turning around and going, 'Well here we are with a female protagonist. That's incredible. And what are we going to do with her?' And that's where we are with that [the Laura script] right now, dreaming."
Further more, they're open to exploring different genres with comedies like Deadpool, western noir films like Logan, and horror movies like the upcoming X-Men movie, The New Mutants.
"Yes, there are other facets of that character and some others potentially to explore in their own way," says producer Hutch Parker, who spoke to THR while wrapping production on X-Men: Dark Phoenix earlier this month. "It may not be in the same exact tonality or with the same genre orientations as Logan, but I think part of what has been opened up in this universe to all of us now is, drawing on different genre traditions, there are new pathways to be opened for new characters that populate this universe."
Hugh Jackman also confirmed he will have zero involvement with the movie, not even as a producer, as he's done with X-Men but he will definitely be seeing the film opening night.
"No, I won’t be a producer on a Laura sequel," says Jackman. "But I will be lining up on the Thursday night at 10 pm to watch it though. She is just phenomenal."
Jackman was also asked about the possibility of having Wolverine being recast to another actor. It's pretty common for superhero roles to get recast with new faces and Wolverine likely won't be an exception given how much of a money maker he is.
"I know someone will. I hope it will be recast," says Jackman.
Hugh Jackman wasn't actually the first choice for Wolverine, actor Dougray Scott was set to fill the part but obligations to Mission: Impossible 2 prevented him from being able to star in the first X-Men.
"I met him early on and I said to him, 'Man, I am sorry.' And he said, 'It’s just business but you have just gotten one of the greatest roles out there so go crush it,' " recalls Jackman. "I just remember being so impressed by that and his class that and hopefully, I am a big enough guy that when someone else takes over, I will do exactly what was done to me … and I feel glad to just be a part of the legacy of that character. I feel great parts — great characters outlive the actors that play them. Bond, Superman, Batman …. So, there you go."
Logan is out now on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD.
