Dafne Keen reportedly in talks to return as X-23 in Marvel’s X-Men reboot
Dafne Keen is reportedly in talks to reprise Laura Kinney/X-23 in Marvel Studios’ in-development “X-Men” reboot, according to an unverified industry tipster, as the film moves closer to locking its cast.
TL;DR
- Insider account @MyTimeToShineH claims Keen is “in talks” for the mutant reboot; Marvel has not confirmed this.
- Jake Schreier is directing; Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo are writing the script.
- Keen played X-23 in “Logan” (2017) and returned for a cameo in “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024).
- Schreier has publicly urged fans to treat online casting reports with scepticism.
Where the rumour started
The claim traces back to a post from insider account @MyTimeToShineH, which ComicBook.com reported on as fans reacted with enthusiasm. Several outlets, including Yardbarker and ComicBasics, picked up the same tip. None of these are official Marvel Studios sources.
MyTimeToShineH (@MyTimeToShineH). “Dafne Keen is reportedly in talks to return as X-23.” X, August 2026.
The reboot’s confirmed details
What is confirmed is that Kevin Feige has named Schreier, director of “Thunderbolts*,” as the filmmaker behind the reboot, according to Deadline, which also reported that “Beef” creator Lee Sung Jin and “The Bear” showrunner Joanna Calo are writing the script. The film is not expected to arrive until 2028.
Crucially, Schreier has already pushed back on the wave of fan-casting reports circulating this year. Speaking to Collider, he said most of what gets posted online about casting does not come from his production, according to ScreenRant.
Keen’s history with the role
Keen has said she would return to the role if asked, telling The Direct at the Saturn Awards she’d want Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine involved too, according to CBR. In a separate interview cited by FandomWire, she told ComicBook she genuinely doesn’t know her future plans.
Deadpool & Wolverine box office: $1.338 billion worldwide Source: CBR, via studio-reported figures
The UK angle
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” Keen’s most recent appearance as the character, carries a BBFC 15 certificate in the UK for strong bloody violence, injury detail, sex references and very strong language, according to the BBFC. Any reboot appearance would likely carry a similar age rating given the franchise’s history.
For more on the reboot’s shape so far, see BriefLedger’s pieces on Kit Connor’s potential Cyclops casting and the writers’ room details from Beef and The Bear.
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed 9 August 2026.
Elena Vane is an award-winning comics historian and pop culture journalist. Specializing in the DC/Marvel universes and independent graphic novels, Elena has been documenting the rise of cosplay culture for over a decade . She is a frequent panelist at New York Comic Con and provides in-depth biographies of industry pioneers. Elena’s expertise ensures that every comic-related update is factually grounded and community-focused .
