Logan hasn’t even been in theaters a week and already, James Mangold’s somber superhero drama has won over the hearts and minds of moviegoers the world over. Closing the book on Hugh Jackman’s time as Wolverine after 17 years and a record nine appearances – First Class cameo included – the flick drew praise from critics and fans alike for its bleak and, ultimately, refreshingly human portrayal of the X-Men universe and the few remaining mutants left standing by the year 2029.
That’s the year in which Logan takes place, lending Mangold and his creative team the necessary creative freedom to craft an R-rated solo movie clear of existing entanglements and conflicting timelines. All in all, Mangold’s risky endeavor paid off dividends, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Logan completely ignores everything that came before. In fact, upon combing through each and every frame of Wolverine’s last hurrah, fans have cherry-picked a series of X-Men Easter eggs. But there’s another subtle nod to James Mangold’s actioner to be found in The Wolverine. Spoilers to follow!
First spotted by Twitter user MauriceTheChosenOne, and later confirmed by James Mangold himself, the scene in question is an exchange between Hugh Jackman’s lead and Yukio, a fellow mutant with the ability to see into the future. At one point, she tells Wolverine that, “I see you on your back, there’s blood everywhere. You’re holding your own heart in your hand.” Sound familiar? If you’ve seen Logan, you’ll no doubt remember the poignant scene in which Wolverine is clutching onto X-23 – his estranged daughter, in a manner of speaking.
And the prize goes to Maurice! https://t.co/9GyRffqUlg
— Mangold (@mang0ld) March 9, 2017
So, there you have it; Logan‘s finale has been hiding in plain sight all along. Now that Fox, James Mangold and Hugh Jackman have brought the curtain down on James Howlett, all involved have thrust their support behind an X-23 spinoff movie. Beyond that, there’s also chatter of Wolverine’s future sans Hugh Jackman, with Fox expected to consult the Aussie actor if (when?) it chooses to recast the enraged mutant.
