Exclusive: Dafne Keen is Set to Return as Laura Kinney/X-23 in Marvel’s ‘Deadpool 3’

Dafne Keen, who played Laura Kinney (X-23) in ‘Logan‘ (2017), is returning to the role in Marvel’s ‘Deadpool 3‘. Marvel began negotiations with Keen just before the ongoing strike began to have her reprise the character as an adult Laura. Filming has been resumed and will be released in theaters on July 26, 2024.

Who is Laura Kinney (X-23) in Marvel Comics?

In Marvel Comics, Laura Kinney (X-23) is a mutant character who was first introduced in the X-Men comics. She made her debut in “NYX” #3 in 2004 and was created by writer Craig Kyle and artist Billy Tan. Kinney is a female clone of Wolverine, created to be a weapon by the Weapon X program. Like Wolverine, she possesses a regenerative healing factor, retractable bone claws coated with adamantium, and enhanced physical abilities. Her character has been associated with various X-Men teams, including the X-Men, X-Force, and the X-23 solo series.

It was already reported that ‘Deadpool 3’ will feature a crossover with X-Men heroes like Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, and Beast. Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, and James Marsden might also reprise their roles as Storm, Jean Grey, and Cyclops in the film.

According to the film’s plot: In Deadpool 3, Wade Wilson/Deadpool is arrested for time crimes involving Cable’s device in Deadpool 2. The TVA returns Cable to his original time and confiscates his time travel technology. Deadpool gets leniency and helps the TVA on a mission. Wanda’s spirit inhabits another Wanda’s body, leading to a new world where Magneto rules and mutants are the majority. Logan hijacks the TVA device to change history and ends up in different Fox worlds. Deadpool enlists Fox’s (X-men) heroes in a fight against Magneto, resulting in chaos and casualties. Wanda is depowered and banished by the TVA, and Deadpool and others are sent to the main MCU timeline. Logan searches for mutants while Deadpool finds Blind Al in his bed.

Dafne Keen is a Spanish-British actress known for her role as Laura in ‘Logan’ (2017). She received critical acclaim and awards for her performance. She also stars as Lyra Belacqua in ‘His Dark Materials’ and appeared in the film ‘Ana’ (2020). She recently joined the cast of the Star Wars series ‘The Acolyte’ in November 2022.

The film is directed by Shawn Levy. In the film, Ryan Reynolds will reprise his role as Wade Wilson/Deadpool, alongside Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Karan Soni as Dopinder, Morena Baccarin as Vanessa Carlysle, Stefan Kapičić as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus, Rob Delaney as Peter, Shioli Kutsuna as Yukio, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and new additions Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen. The script is penned by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, Reynolds, and Levy.

Deadpool 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on July 26, 2024.