Marvel‘s new release perfectly sets the stage for X-23 to make her first appearance in a project from the studio since the character was last used in Deadpool & Wolverine. Some actors have made their live-action Marvel roles so iconic that it is hard to imagine anyone else taking over their characters. Hugh Jackman has done just that for Wolverine.
Finding a new actor to play Logan (Wolverine) for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s upcoming X-Men film will be very challenging. But if Marvel wants to avoid upsetting fans, they’ve already subtly introduced Jackman’s ideal successor within their existing timeline. Dafne Keen, who brilliantly played X-23 in the critically acclaimed Logan and recently reappeared in Deadpool & Wolverine, is a natural fit.
Unlike Hugh Jackman, who portrayed a different version of Wolverine after his character’s death in Logan, Dafne Keen reprised her role as the original X-23, now older. The ending of Deadpool & Wolverine showed that X-23 survived and was joining Deadpool and Wolverine for a celebration with their friends, suggesting she’ll likely appear in future Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
With fans eager to find out where the character will appear next in live-action Marvel films, the animated series X-Men ’97 has demonstrated that Marvel Studios still has plans for her. Following her appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine, X-23 has made a successful return within this separate Marvel project, and her future storyline is already being set up.
X-Men ’97 Season 2 Sets Up X-23’s Franchise Debut
Be warned, this article reveals major plot points from X-Men ’97 season 2, episode 5! In the episode “Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs,” Wolverine reunites with former Team X members for a mission to an abandoned Weapon X base. However, he secretly planned it so he could get re-covered in Adamantium – the metal Magneto removed from his skeleton in season 1. During their exploration, they face threats like The Brood and Omega Red, and viewers catch glimpses of DVDs labeled with the names of other mutants connected to the Weapon X program.
A listing revealed that the character X-23 will appear in X-Men ’97, confirming she’s part of that universe. Interestingly, X-23 – a clone of Wolverine – wasn’t created until after the original X-Men: The Animated Series finished its run. She first showed up in the animated series X-Men: Evolution back in 2003, with an episode specifically named after her. Now that X-Men ’97 has established X-23’s existence within its storyline, she could make her on-screen debut either later this season or in the upcoming third season.
When Dafne Keen’s X-23 Could Show Up AgainIn The MCU?
There’s a good possibility we’ll see X-23 in a live-action Marvel movie this year. Reports suggest both Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) will be in Avengers: Doomsday, although this hasn’t been officially confirmed. If those reports are true, X-23 could easily appear alongside them, since she was last shown with them. If not, she’s likely to be featured in the 2027 film, Avengers: Secret Wars.
Before Hugh Jackman retires from playing Wolverine, likely with the last film in the Multiverse Saga before the MCU reboots the character, Dafne Keen needs to reprise her role as X-23 for a heartfelt final scene and goodbye. With Avengers: Secret Wars predicted to be the largest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie ever made – featuring characters from across all of Marvel’s live-action projects – Keen’s X-23 would be an ideal addition to the MCU’s new X-Men team. The fact that Marvel Studios is hinting at Laura’s return in season 2 of X-Men ’97 demonstrates they are still considering her character.
2026-07-19 17:32