The third and final "Wolverine" film starring Hugh Jackman is getting underway but very little about the film's plot and characters have so far been revealed. But a report from Comic Book reveals that the movie may include one character that could potentially become the new Wolverine after Jackman retires from the role.
According to the report, the studios are looking for a 21-year-old and above female double or stand-in with dark brown hair and stands a height of 4 feet to 4 feet 11 inches and must be of Caucasian, Asian or Hispanic descent. There is also a casting call for a child of similar hair color and height. Both are likely to be stand-ins for one of the film's main female characters.
The report points out that this all points to the possible inclusion of Laura Kinney aka X-23, a mutant who made her debut in the "X-Men: Evolution" cartoon series before being included in the actual comic books.
X-23 is the 23rd clone -- hence her codename -- of Wolverine and started out as a solo mercenary before joining the X-Men and X-Force teams. Being a clone of Wolverine, X-23 has all of his capabilities, including adamantium claws, healing abilities and heightened senses.
As pointed out in a report from Screen Rant, X-23 also took up the mantle as Wolverine when Logan was killed off in the comic books. Given that "Wolverine 3" is going to be Hugh Jackman's last foray as Wolverine, it has fans speculating that X-23 may become the new Wolverine for the ongoing "X-Men" cinematic universe.
If this proves true the character may appear in films like the upcoming "New Mutants" or "Gambit." However, this may also become an obstacle if the goal is to include her in the new series of main "X-Men" films starring Sophie Turner and Tye Sheridan due to the differnt time periods that their respective films take place in.
"Wolverine 3" opens in theaters on March 3, 2017.
