Dafne Keen Surprises Fans as X-23 in Final ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer

The highly anticipated final trailer for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine‘ has dropped, surprising fans with a darker tone than previous promotional material. This installment appears to focus on Wolverine’s journey as he reclaims his role as an X-Man, aiming to save Deadpool’s universe and potentially beyond, possibly leading to an intersection with the Avengers.

Among the noteworthy highlights of the trailer is the reveal of Dafne Keen reprising her role as Laura, also known as X-23, now portrayed as an adult. This revelation ties back to the ‘Logan‘ universe, which the film will explore further, much to the delight of fans.

Interestingly, Keen had previously denied any involvement in this latest film when questioned by On Demand Entertainment. She expressed her admiration for both Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, stating, “It would’ve been amazing to be a part of it,” while suggesting that “they’re not gonna mess with Logan’s timeline.”

This situation is reminiscent of Andrew Garfield’s antics when he denied his participation in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home‘ until its release, despite set images surfacing ahead of time. The choice to showcase Keen in the trailer raises eyebrows, as it would have made for a fantastic surprise for viewers, especially given the earlier uncertainty surrounding her involvement.

While the trailer does not showcase her in action as X-23, Keen, now 19 and significantly older than during her performance in ‘Logan’, has presumably taken on a more mature version of the character. It would be surprising if she returns without embracing some elements of her superhero persona, especially considering the film’s action-packed nature.

Keen arrives on the heels of a successful role in ‘The Acolyte‘, where she displayed remarkable combat skills, portraying a young Jedi warrior in a shocking twist during a climactic lightsaber duel. Her performance showcased her exceptional stunt capabilities, reinforcing her potential as a future action star.

Despite the reveal taking some mystery away from the film, the trailer itself is worth a watch. Fans can look forward to ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, hitting theaters on July 26.

In addition to Keen’s reveal, the trailer introduces a variety of characters, including Lady Deadpool, whose much-anticipated debut is highlighted. Speculation regarding the character comes with questions over the identity of the actress portraying her; fans are guessing between possibilities like Blake Lively and Taylor Swift.

A significant point of discussion among fans is the nature of Jackman’s return as Wolverine. Having originally portrayed the character for years before ‘Logan’ was marketed as his farewell, Jackman now returns in a new light. He has been keen to clarify that this version of Wolverine will not be the same one who met his unfortunate end in ‘Logan’.

As the final trailer came to light, Keen, in an exclusive interview, acknowledged that she had previously led people to believe she wouldn’t be in the movie – a tactic she openly credited to Garfield’s notorious secrecy regarding his return as Spider-Man.

Her excitement about returning as X-23 was palpable, as she recounted the moment her agent broke the news to her, recalling, “I dropped my phone in the bath. I had to put it in rice; it was a whole thing.” She admitted fears that she might have lost touch with the character after being away for so long.

However, after rewatching ‘Logan’, she felt right back in her element on set. “As soon as they said, ‘Rolling!’ I really felt like we were back doing Logan. It was like eight years hadn’t passed,” Keen exclaimed, reflecting her commitment to the character and the franchise.

Ultimately, ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films of the year. With its unique blend of humor, action, and emotional depth, fans are eagerly awaiting its release and the digital interactions it promises to facilitate.