Chances are that if you've seen X-Men: Apocalypse by now, you're very curious as to what the future of the X-Men universe has in store for you. Well the frustrating truth is most of it remains shrouded in mystery, and while we've heard certain movies are in the works such as Gambit, New Mutants, Deadpool 2, and Wolverine 3, we haven't really gotten any details about any of those movies. Well at least up until this point, as we may finally have some solid information about what we can expect from Hugh Jackman's final film as Wolverine.
First off, new set photos have emerged showing us a much more grizzled and older looking version of Jackman's Wolverine along with sickly looking Charles Xavier (Played in this film by Patrick Stewart). We've known for some time that Stewart would be reprising his role as Xavier in the film, but we still aren't sure just how important his role will be. Well what is most interesting about these set photos is the little girl shown with a gun shot wound aside Wolverine, who apparently may be famed X-Men character X-23 who was teased in the post-credits scene of Apocalypse. Take a look at the set photos for your self below:
Now first off, despite what most fan may be thinking when they see the grey haired Wolverine featured in these set photos, the film apparently won't adapt the famed Old Man Logan storyline. While it was rumored that Fox was interested in doing so, their lack of rights to the characters from the original storyline and the complications it would bring likely led to them passing on the opportunity. Although the film's actual plot still remains shrouded in mystery, it will in fact feature an older Logan alongside Xavier and possibly X-23. Two rumored titles for the film are Weapon X or Wolverine: Weapon X, which was the title given to Wolverine when he was experimented on.
As for the rumors about X-23, the character may in fact be the little girl we see in these set photos. X-23 was teased in the end credits scene of X-Men: Apocalypse, and it seemed like Fox was setting up for the character as a replacement now that Hugh Jackman is taking his final turn as Wolverine. The Hashtag Show claim to have gotten their hands on a leaked description for a character named Zoe who they believe may actually be X-23. Not only does the description below fit the characteristics of a young X-23, but she also fits the characteristics of the girl featured alongside Jackman in those set photos. You can read the character breakdown below:
- Code Name: Zoe
- 12-to-15 year-old girl
- A pound puppy, raised in captivity in a time of battle, without support systems of a normal childhood.
- She has no family and until now, has never left the compound in which she was born.
- She has an authentic intensity - Her expressions & body language speak volumes, without words.
- Once released in the outside world, everything is new, every experience and every image a first.
- This does not mean everything is wonderful or wonderous. Some thing she sees (things we might regard as conventional) may scare her or anger her and things we may find interesting may bore her.
- She has not been instructed in many social conventions - she can eat like an animal. She studies and often mimics people's behavior.
- She has a high IQ, but is also a temperamental, impuslive and feral creature that can raise genuine mayhem.
- She is a girl that has never been kissed. Looking for a real girl - not made up or done up. Also with genuine edge, not made up or put on.
- Martial arts or gymnastics experience preferred but not necessary - but actress must be extremely physical and able to improvise scenes without necessarily resorting to speech. Do not play it "cute."
While all of this is speculation until proven otherwise, the pieces seem to come together as far as all these rumors and set photos go. If X-23 is in fact portrayed as a little girl in the film this will be a pretty drastic change from the comics, and the character has always been portrayed as an adult or adolescent in the comics. None the less, director James Mangold may be taking this liberty with the character so that she fits better with the film's storyline, and it would certainly make her usable for the future of the X-Men franchise. We don't know who the villain of the film is yet, but two possible candidates are Mr. Sinister (Who was also teased in the post credits scene) or Dr. Abraham Cornelius from the famed Death of Wolverine storyline, either of which may be responsible for creating X-23. The film is also rumored to feature the villainous group of Reavers, whose leader may be the character Boyd Holbrook (Narcos) is playing.
So are you excited for Wolverine 3? Are you okay with X-23 possibly appearing as a young girl in the X-Men universe? Let us know below!
