UPDATE: X-23 creator Craig Kyle is working on the script with Mangold. The original article follows.

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James Mangold has confirmed that the X-23 spinoff is now in the script writing stage of development. Even among the bevy of brilliant performers in Logan - including both Patrick Stewart as Professor X and Hugh Jackman as the title character - youngster Dafne Keene was able to stand her ground and give a brilliant performance as young Laura aka. X-23. While the Wolverine threequel was not necessarily meant to set-up a sequel or a followup installment, the strong reception for Keene as Wolverine's "clone" has led to an offshoot being developed for her character all the same.

More than seven months have now passed since the genre-bending, critical and commercial success of Logan. Interest in the film has been renewed of late, in light of this year's awards season. Fox has now sent Logan screeners out to Oscar voters, providing the the studio is serious about nabbing at least a nod (or more) from the Academy. While some people are bent on discussing who could play Wolverine next, Mangold's update concerning the X-23 spinoff serves as a reminder that there's no rush to cast a new version of the cigar-smoking, Canadian mutant - as he can still live on through his "daughter".

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Speaking extensively to THR about Logan in light of its bid to be in the Academy Awards race this year, Mangold gave an update regarding the X-23 spin-off project, saying: "We're just working on a script."  Understandably, given that the project is still in the early stages of development, Mangold didn't elaborate beyond that. Nevertheless, the fact that the spinoff is moving forward at all is encouraging news for those who want to see where Laura's adventures take her next, following her final goodbye to her "dad".

Logan Dafne Keen Laura

For fans, this may not come as a complete surprise. Mangold has not hidden his eagerness to work on a spin-off centering on X-23. While he did not say if he is planning to direct the film, it is great to hear that it is moving forward at Fox. The fact, however, that he is privy to information about the movie's developing process makes sense; after all, it was the 53-year-old filmmaker who initially brought the character to life in Logan. Mangold can now make sure that whatever narrative path Laura travels next is consistent with her original characterization in Jackman's final film as Wolverine, even if doesn't wind up calling the shots on the spinoff himself.

If Mangold is able to bring the same sensibilities that he brought to Logan to the planned X-23 offshoot, then we can expect nothing short of a grounded, character-centric and more focused film that would only further help the comic book movie genre to diversify itself. What's less clear, however, is where Laura and her adventures fit in in the bigger Fox Marvel Universe narrative. The franchise currently has a slew of projects in the pipeline, including the 1990s-set X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the much-anticipated sequel Deadpool 2, the horror-flavored spinoff New Mutants, and the revived Gambit solo movie.

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Source: THR

Update Source: Craig Kyle

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