James Mangold Wants To Make An X-23 Film, Will Work With Hugh Jackman Again

On March 3rd, Hugh Jackman’s time as Wolverine will come to an end when director James Mangold’s Logan hits theaters. The Aussie actor has been donning the adamantium claws for nearly two decades now – ever since Bryan Singer’s X-Men back in 2000 – and next month, will be the final time we see him suit up as the iconic mutant. It’s a sad occasion, to be sure, but everything we’ve seen so far from the moody, somber threequel has us thinking it’s going to be something pretty special.

While fans are still hoping that Jackman can be convinced to return to the role, or maybe even cameo in Deadpool 2, it’s not looking likely. In fact, the inclusion of X-23 (Dafne Keen) in Logan signals that it’s the youngster who will most likely take over for Wolvie once he’s gone. Though Fox hasn’t confirmed it just yet, that’s what all signs are pointing to and if Mangold has his way, the character will soon get her very own solo outing.

Doing press in New York City earlier this morning, we caught up with the director for an exclusive interview (which will be published shortly). While speaking about his relationship with Jackman, he said that the actor won’t be making anymore X-Men movies, but that doesn’t mean they won’t collaborate again.

“I definitely know that Hugh and I will work together again,” said Mangold.

He wouldn’t name any specific projects, nor did he confirm if they already had something in the works, but seeing as how the two seem to get along well, it’s certainly exciting to hear that they intend on continuing their partnership.

We then asked him if he’d be interested in doing anything else related to comic books after Logan, and he said the following:

”I think Dafne is incredible in the film and I would love to see another film about that character and that’s certainly something I’d be involved in. For me that was one of the big additions I brought to the table, this decision to try to make the film about family and to try to insert Laura and the pressures that would put and the idea about Charles ailing.”

Of course, this is by no means confirmation that such a thing will happen, but with the studio seemingly positioning X-23 to take over Wolverine’s role once Jackman departs, it’s widely assumed that somewhere down the road, we’ll get a movie dedicated entirely to her. And when that happens, it looks like it’ll be Mangold calling the shots, which certainly makes sense given that he’s the one who introduced the character to audiences in the first place.

Circling back to Logan though, early reactions and buzz are incredibly positive and from what we’ve seen so far, it looks as if we’re going to be getting something wholly unique and unlike anything the genre has given us before. It certainly won’t be your typical superhero movie, that much is for sure, but there’s no doubt that it’s going to send Wolverine off on a high note and bring Hugh Jackman’s time playing the character to a close in a very satisfying way.

Tell us, do you think that 20th Century Fox has plans for an X-23 film in the future? If so, would you be up for seeing James Mangold return to steer the ship? Let us know your thoughts in the usual place!