Dafne Keen discusses emotional reunion with Hugh Jackman in 'Deadpool & Wolverine'

Dafne Keen, who rose to fame as Laura/X-23 in "Logan," recently spoke about her emotional reunion with Hugh Jackman while filming "Deadpool & Wolverine." The reunion marks a significant moment for the actors, given their close bond from the 2017 film. Before her role was officially revealed in the final trailer, Keen had joked about attending the premiere as Hugh Jackman’s plus-one.

Keen's character, Laura/X-23, became a fan favorite in "Logan," where she played the cloned daughter of Jackman's Logan/Wolverine. Although there were talks of an X-23 spinoff, these plans were shelved due to the Disney-Fox merger. However, Jackman and Ryan Reynolds' announcement of Jackman’s return as Wolverine in Shawn Levy’s "Deadpool & Wolverine" made Keen’s return almost certain.

Shawn Levy, the film’s director, shared his thoughts on Keen’s character, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “She’s a big emotional motor for Wolverine, and Wolverine is her entire emotional motor.” Keen emphasized the deep connection between the characters, which transcends different universes within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Keen reflected on her initial reunion with Jackman, describing it as surreal and emotional. “Imagine losing your only father figure in life, only to reunite with your father almost ten years later,” Keen shared. She recounted how they quickly fell back into their dynamic, despite the years that had passed. The two actors previously had a tearful goodbye in "Logan," making their reunion on set all the more poignant.

Offscreen, Keen and Jackman reconnected in a heartwarming encounter. Keen recalled, “The first reunion we had was after I had the costume fitting where I met the random cameo. I was halfway through the fitting and they were like, ‘Hugh is on stage next door and he really wants to see you.’ So I ran over while they were approving a set, and I just walked in and Hugh was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s you!’ And then we hugged, and it was really crazy because we hadn’t seen each other in ages.”

The first scene Keen and Jackman filmed together for "Deadpool & Wolverine" was not the emotional campfire scene shown in the trailer but a lighter scene that allowed them to catch up off-camera. Keen described the experience as heartwarming and nostalgic, especially since their last scenes together in "Logan" were deeply emotional.