Dafne Keen Under Attack From Marvel Fans
It looks like the cat—or Wolverine?—is out of the bag. A new trailer revealed that Dafne Keen will reprise her role as Laura/X-23 in Deadpool & Wolverine. Unfortunately, this news has led to rampant fan speculation that Keen will be taking over permanently as the MCU’s official Wolverine. You can imagine how that’s going.
Dafne Keen And X-23
Dafne Keen first portrayed Wolverine’s clone/daughter in Logan (2017). Everyone unanimously agreed that she killed the part, and most fans think she was one of the film’s highlights. Some have even called for the character to get her own movie—as X-23.
For some reason, despite the character first taking up the mantle of Wolverine almost a decade ago, some fans don’t like the idea of Laura using that identity on screen. Those fans would prefer that Hugh Jackman keep playing Wolverine until he drops dead one day on the set of Logan VIII: The Final, Final Adventure.
Coming Out Of Retirement, Or Just A One-Off?
That’s obviously a joke, but it’s not far off. Jackman came out of retirement to do one movie, but everyone seems to think he will hang around for an Avengers movie or two. Then there are the fans who agree that the MCU should have a new Wolverine, just not Dafne Keen. Why?
Look, if the fans of Hugh Jackman’s Logan cared about the character itself, that’s fine. But the majority of them don’t. They care about the Hugh Jackman version of the character.
There’s a big difference. And heck, if they just want someone to leap around grimacing and stabbing bad guys, Dafne Keen would make the perfect Wolverine.
If The Claws Fit…
Dafne Keen already proved how ferocious she can be in Logan. For all intents and purposes, she would make the perfect Wolverine. She’s even the right height!
Unfortunately, the consensus online from a certain segment of fans is that X-23 having a lead role would bring just too much estrogen to the forefront of the MCU. Oh, sorry, the M-She-U.
I swear some fans are never happy. If Kevin Feige recasts the role with a man people, will complain that he’s no Hugh Jackman. If Dafne Keen becomes Wolverine fans will complain that she’s not a man.
Meanwhile, poor Hugh Jackman isn’t getting any younger.
Let Jackman Move On!
Jackman will be 56 in October. He started playing the character when he was 32. If you don’t think he’s starting to look a little long in the tooth, go back and watch the first X-Men movie. For a mutant who doesn’t age, Logan has sure picked up a few wrinkles.
That’s not meant to be ageist, either. Hugh Jackman looks better at 55 than I did at 35. But at some point, you have to say enough is enough.
Give Dafne Keen Wolverine’s bright yellow spandex and get out of her way.
There’s Plenty Of Testosterone To Go Around Already
In 2024, I shouldn’t be hopping on Reddit and seeing comments about the MCU being in desperate need of a masculine lead to balance things out. Thor, Captain America, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Moon Knight, The Punisher, and Doctor Strange called … they said there’s already plenty of testosterone to go around.
It’s not even technically a gender swap. X-23 literally goes by Wolverine in the comic books. Damian Wayne is set to be the Robin of the DCU.
I don’t see anyone complaining that it isn’t Dick Grayson. Who cares about tradition?
Let’s Not Get Ahead Of Ourselves
If these Wolverine fans were really upset that Marvel didn’t respect the character’s sanctity, they wouldn’t be pining for an Australian who’s an entire foot taller than Logan to keep playing him. Of course, Dafne Keen taking over as Wolverine is still just a rumor. Considering how coy Jackman has been in recent interviews, there is a decent chance he’ll be back.
So those fans demanding that anyone using the title “Wolverine” have a very specific set of private parts can rest easy. Dafne Keen’s Wolverine isn’t real. She can’t hurt you … at least not yet.
