Hugh Jackman wasn’t the only hero from Logan to make their MCU debut in Deadpool & Wolverine. His young co-star Dafne Keen also joined him in the Void for some multiverse fun. What was it like to not only team-up with Jackman again but to also work with so many other famous faces? Nerdist asked X-23 herself about that when we got to talk to Keen ahead of Deadpool & Wolverine upcoming arrival on Disney+. We also wanted to know what Wesley Snipes is really like, her favorite moment that didn’t make it into the movie, why it wasn’t so bad being the only character not wearing a super suit, and more.
Nerdist: What was the best thing you filmed that didn’t end up in the movie?
Dafne Keen: I’m so happy you’ve asked me. No one’s asked me that. I was quite excited I had a funny joke and they cut it out. Maybe I just wasn’t funny, but I got to say something snarky to Ryan. He was saying something about Magneto’s helmet. He was like, “We can convince Cassandra.” And I got to turn to him and say, “Holy shit, I have shoes smarter than you.” That was really exciting but they cut it.
It’s actually good, because it works (Laura’s) quiet because she’s a quiet character. She did not mean to be saying funny lines, but it was fun to say it to Ryan. I had a great time.
What’s the funniest thing that happened on set while making Deadpool & Wolverine?
Keen: Honestly, any interaction between Ryan and Channing Tatum was the funniest thing. Ever. Because all of that sequence in the cave, from what I remember, is mainly improv by them. We’re all just kind of watching in awe as these two comedic geniuses, comedic titans, are coming up with this incredible, genius, comedic rapport. That was very, very enjoyable for us.
Could you understand what Channing was saying?
Keen: Like 20% of it. Not really. I’d ask him after takes. I’d be like, “What did you say” And he’d say, “Oh, dat dat dat dah.” And I’d be like, “Okay, sure. No, you didn’t. But okay.”
It’s insane, I think when it was lines that were scripted, after like six takes, I’d be like, “Oh, I could see how that could….” But it would take me a few takes to figure it out for sure. Not the first try.
I have to ask this question: What was it like working with Wesley Snipes?
Keen: Iconic. He’s probably the most iconic person I’ve ever met. He would come to set, he’d be completely quiet. The only the only reason he wasn’t quiet was because he figured out I spoke Spanish and he speaks pretty good Spanish. So sometimes he’d chat to me in Spanish. He’ be completely quiet, and then he’d suddenly drop the craziest Hollywood bomb. Then he wouldn’t acknowledge it, and I’d be like, “Sorry?” And he’d just be in his own world. It was hilarious.
It was also insane watching him do all his stunt work. Probably one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen. He was so casual. We were all really stressed about it, and he was like, “Whatever.” It was insane. It was amazing.
You’re still really young, but you were just 11 when you filmed Logan. What was it like playing Laura now when you’re a little bit older and more experienced?
Keen: It’s kind of terrifying. When you do something as a kid it comes out in a really natural way. You don’t really have to even think about it. And when I played Laura (in Logan), even though I prepared for it a lot, it was such a natural kid process. Then when I was asked to come back as a semi-grown up, because I didn’t think I have grown up, you kind of freak out you won’t be able to emulate something that came so easily to you at 11.
So I was really terrified of that. And the way I managed to do it was I just I just put in a bunch of work on the physical side. I did as much stunt training as I possibly could. I’d come in on days I wasn’t working. I’d practice at home. I would practice in my garden. And then I honestly think it’s all Hugh. Working with Hugh again, felt like no time had passed. I honestly felt like we’d wrapped Logan on a Friday and we were now filming (Deadpool & Wolverine) on a Monday. It was crazy. It was really, really beautiful.
Speaking of him, what’s something about Hugh Jackman you learned working with him this time around that maybe you didn’t know or appreciate before?
Keen: We had a lot of fun on Logan, but (Deadpool & Wolverine) was such a funny set, and I always thought he was funny, but Hugh is a hilarious person. And I don’t think I realized just how hilarious he was before because he was making jokes that, as a kid, go over your head. This time around I was like, “He’s funny. He’s a funny, funny guy.” Cool guy. I love him.
Everyone else got to wear a comic accurate costume except for you. Any resentment about that and did you demand Marvel rectify that in the future?
Keen: Yes. :smiles: No, honestly, I really wanted a suit. I think it’s really cool we went with jeans and a top. I felt I felt a bit left out in the beginning, and then when we got to set and they were all really uncomfortable in latex and corsets and things I was having a great time in jeans and a top and a backpack. So I was very chill with my costume. I was like, “Great. Sick.”
And to be fair they were nice. They did give me an X-Men belt, so I was quite happy about that. I got a little X-belt, and I was like, “You know what? This is kind of my suit. And I got my sunglasses, so I’m not complaining.”
If Marvel wants to bring me back in jeans and a top, I will not complain. I’ll come back in it. I can come back wrapped in toilet paper, and I’ll do it. I’ll do anything for them. Happily.
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who also could only understand 20% of what Gambit said. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.
