The MCU to Do Away With Logan’s Wolverine, Opting for 1 of These Alternatives?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe now possesses the rights to a handful of former Fox entities due to the Fox/Disney merger. Ever since the media conglomerate gained access to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, rumors and theories surrounding the characters’ place in and purpose to the existing saga have surfaced in every nook and cranny of the internet. 

While the X-Men will undoubtedly play a significant role in the future of the Marvel cinematic franchise — otherwise, why go through the trouble? — they may be very different from the mutants fans have grown accustomed to. Kevin Feige has quite the challenge on his hands when it comes to the X-Men: how do you satisfy fans of the former Fox movies (which boasted quite talented cast members), while also presenting original and inspired work?

Feige and Co, can not simply copy the narratives and character dynamics put forth previously under Fox, but to completely abandon some iconic, well-known mutant tales would be a risk. Based on available information, as well as narrative plausibilities surrounding the existing Marvel landscape, Logan’s Wolverine may not be the version of Weapon X coming to the MCU. So, who may join instead?

Daphne Keen’s X-23 from ‘Logan’ could take over

According to We Got This Covered, Daphne Keen may reprise her role as X-23 from the Fox movie Logan in the MCU. While Logan would also theoretically appear at the onset, Keen’s characters would be responsible for carrying the adamantium-clawed legacy through the saga. Logan would theoretically serve a transitional purpose, appearing briefly, but not for the long haul. 

X-23 already has Logan’s approval and Logan’s trust; thus, choosing such a character may work toward fan satisfaction. Since she is connected to Jackman’s Logan, who fans already know and love, accepting such a turn of events would likely not be too difficult. Yet, this isn’t the only way to incorporate Weapon X. Rather than relying on pieces of a Fox franchise, the MCU may rely on the presence of the Winter Soldier to establish a Wolverine connection. 

Will Logan’s son, Daken, appear in the MCU? 

As ScreenRant notes, Akihiro (better known as Daken) is the son Logan never knew he had in the comics. As for his connection to the MCU, his mother Itsu was gunned down by the Winter Soldier in an attempt to draw out his father. Itsu was pregnant with Daken when this happened, and Daken’s healing abilities kept him alive. His mother died. 

Daken then sets out on a quest for revenge when he grows older. While some tinkering with the original narrative may be necessary, it’s easy to envision a story in which the Winter Soldier and Falcon could come up against Logan (or Daken), allowing a different trajectory to take center stage. The new Disney tale could focus on Daken instead of Logan, and give audiences an older, more mature Logan as a secondary character. Or, Logan’s life could be in the past when Daken is introduced. He could be dead, boasting a legacy that lives on subtextually throughout future MCU installments.