The long-awaited return of Dafne Keen‘s X-23 could come to fruition in Deadpool 3 though it requires Hollywood’s AMPTP to come to terms with the Actors Strike for Marvel Studios to resume negotiations with the Logan star. A new rumor indicates the His Dark Material star was approached to play a grown-up version of Laura but some fans also want her iteration to be the main Wolverine of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Deadpool 3 could be of paramount importance as a multiverse entry from MCU Phase 5. The threequel’s storyline is rumored to tease the pivotal role of Merc with a Mouth & Logan (Hugh Jackman) for the sixth phase’s Secret Wars arc. But now, another piece of insider information suggesting X-23’s return has fans campaigning to see her portrayal as the main timeline’s Wolverine, replacing the soon-to-retire Logan.
According to CWGST, Marvel Studios was engaged in negotiations with Dafne Keen before the strike. Surprisingly, the studio also anticipated the SAG-AFTRA strike so it appears a deal might have been signed though it remains unclear.
Similar to the other Fox X-Men character appearances, Laura’s role in Deadpool 3 will not be significant rather “expect it more to be a cameo” says the scooper. Shawn Levy was halfway through filming the third installment before the Actors Strike forced the cast & crew to halt production.
Sources have newly confirmed that Marvel went into negotiations with Dafne Keen right before the strikes started to bring her back as a grown up Laura Kinney/#X23 in #Deadpool3.
They anticipated the strikes and are hoping schedules line up once the studios pay actors and writers… pic.twitter.com/Z1r4pGDifO
— CanWeGetSomeToast (@CanWeGetToast) September 10, 2023
God I hope. X-23 is my favorite mutant https://t.co/7NEJakQvJT
— Dan Bell (@BigGayChungus) September 11, 2023
I swear to all of the gods this better be true.
She absolutely should be the MCU Wolverine. https://t.co/ZElp3LuI2V
— 🎄 ❄ Iceman ❄ 🎄 (@LiamJordan15) September 11, 2023
don’t play with me https://t.co/5p8Hiowat8
— ً (@HailEternal) September 10, 2023
Everyone is in this movie huh 😭 this is becoming MoM levels of bad https://t.co/n8gSXEYuwp
— Caleb Williams (@KnightGambit) September 10, 2023
Of all the cameos, this is the one I NEED. https://t.co/0HxlCWwS4Z
— 🍢WedgeBuster🍢 (@WedgeBuster88) September 10, 2023
Don't want. Just make her the new Wolverine in MCU prime timeline https://t.co/Nc0IZmJmYE
— Nikhil (@Niikhillllll) September 11, 2023
In 2020, Keen also shared her interest in reprising the role while also revealing she was in discussion to play X-23 for another X-Men flick. But the conversation transpired before the Disney-Fox accusation and did not materialize into a project. The Marvel fandom is clearly in support of her return in the long run and arguably might be the best route for the MCU to handle passing on the Wolverine Torch.
If true, it also opens up the conversation over whether X-23’s involvement has the TVA tied to it. Nonetheless, It remains to be seen if Deadpool 3 would feature the same version of Laura Kinney that managed to escape with the other young mutants to the sanctuary. While fan-petitioned cameos have materialized in the past, it has also been the most short-lived adaptations (case in point, John Krasinski‘s Mr. Fantastic).
Choosing X-23 as MCU’s Wolverine could also see her playing the role for a lengthy duration considering Keen’s young age. Jackman is known for portraying the Marvel character for the longest over 17 years so perhaps, signing on the 18-year-old star could help repeat history.
If Feige only uses X23 as a cameo instead of setting her up as THE Wolverine moving forward…then we're gonna have some words. https://t.co/CWYZIsR774
— Evan (@HarrisHarrisev9) September 10, 2023
I really hope this is true. She deserves to come back as Laura. https://t.co/c7UwwiUXpW
— Brayden Sylva (check bio for other SM) (@BraydenSylva) September 10, 2023
Im simply choosing to believe this because it benefits me. Hoping they somehow make her the mcu’s wolverine https://t.co/jhGtHawxzU
— ~Yosy~ (@tbslmurdock) September 10, 2023
Manifesting! She needs to be the all new Wolverine 🙏 https://t.co/SrQC5dpqT9
— Lena X Gator Tillman brainrot (@Lena_Wolvie) September 10, 2023
If she is in DP3, then she's just one of many
Probably acts with more maturity than Wade and Logan as they buddy cop frenemy their way thru the film#Deadpool3 https://t.co/dMHWyMBUot— Paul Muad'Dibs on that pizza (@cloneposter) September 10, 2023
POR FAVOR QUE SEJA VDD POOOR FAVOOOOOOR!! 😭😭💖💖 Agr só precisamos da Anna Paquin e tá tudo encaminhado pra ser um dos melhores filmes de todos os tempos 💖💖 https://t.co/rRuT84yMDl
— Lucas Rodrigues (@SailorLucky24) September 11, 2023
https://t.co/3wKOM8ZqeX pic.twitter.com/emP3VOo27L
— 잉?퍼 (@engbxtea) September 11, 2023
Deadpool 3 will grace theaters on May 3, 2024.
