Dafne Keen, the actor who plays Laura Kinney/X-23, is reportedly in talks to reprise the role in Marvel Studios' untitled X-Men reboot, according to a report shared by ComicBook.com on Aug. 8, citing insider MyTimeToShineH.
TL;DR
- Insider MyTimeToShineH says Keen is in talks to return as X-23 for the reboot; ComicBook.com relayed the claim on Aug. 8.
- Keen, 21, first played Laura Kinney in 2017's Logan and returned for a cameo in 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine.
- Sadie Sink is confirmed as Jean Grey, while Samara Weaving and Kit Connor are reportedly cast as Emma Frost and Cyclops.
- Marvel is expected to reveal more casting at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, running Aug. 14–16 in Anaheim.
What the new report says
The claim traces back to insider account MyTimeToShineH and was picked up by ComicBook.com's official X account on Aug. 8.
ComicBook.com (@ComicBook). "Dafne Keen will return as X-23 for the MCU X-Men reboot." X, Aug. 8, 2026. View post
Marvel Studios has not confirmed the casting. Outlets covering the story, including Comic Basics, note that nothing has been made official yet, so this remains a rumor rather than a done deal.
Keen's history with Laura Kinney
Dafne Keen introduced Laura Kinney opposite Hugh Jackman's Wolverine in 2017's Logan. She returned for a brief, well-received cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine two years ago.
Keen has said she wants to keep playing the character. She previously told ComicBook's Phase Zero she would stay on as Laura "100 percent," for as long as Marvel would have her, according to ComicBook.com.
Where the X-Men reboot stands
Marvel has already confirmed Sadie Sink as the reboot's Jean Grey. Reports separately link Samara Weaving to Emma Frost and Kit Connor to Cyclops, though neither is confirmed.
Wolverine remains the biggest open question. Jackman has played the character for 26 years, and Marvel has given no public sign of how, or whether, it plans to replace him. If Keen's casting holds up, some fans expect her to take on more of that mantle, though no such plan has been reported.
Marvel is expected to reveal more of its X-Men cast at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, running Aug. 14–16 in Anaheim, California.
The UK connection
Keen holds British as well as Spanish citizenship. Her father, English stage and screen actor Will Keen, has worked extensively in UK theater and television, including Netflix's The Crown.
Deadpool & Wolverine, Keen's most recent MCU credit, also performed strongly with UK audiences.
UK & Ireland box office — Deadpool & Wolverine £33.4 million (about $42.4 million) after two weekends Source: Comscore data reported by Variety
What happens next
Nothing about Keen's reported casting has been confirmed by Marvel Studios. The untitled X-Men reboot is not expected in theaters until 2028, so any announcement now would land years ahead of release. D23 later this month is the next likely moment for official word.
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed Aug. 9, 2026.
