We all knew it was probably coming anyway, but in the middle of a rather lengthy (and somewhat touching) piece from The Hollywood Reporter, Logan mastermind James Mangold dropped the official announcement that a Laura spin-off was being written for X-23 herself, Dafne Keen, to star in.
Mangold cites the success of Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman as helping to unlock the door and allow Keen's front and center turn to happen:
"Patty's success with that film only solidifies more for studios that there's less to fear with a female protagonist. The more that keeps getting hit home, that ends up giving me more space turning around and going, 'well, here we are with a female protagonist. That's incredible. And what are we going to do with her?' And that's where we are with that [the Laura script] right now, dreaming."
But Logan producer Hutch Parker says that fans shouldn't necessarily expect the noir-Western trappings of Wolverine's farewell:
"It may not be in the same exact tonality or with the same genre orientations as Logan, but I think part of what has been opening up in this universe to all of us now is, drawing on different genre traditions, there are new pathways to be opened for new characters that populate this universe."
Parker is, of course, not only referring to the movie he and Mangold helped mold into one of the year's biggest critical and commercial successes, but also New Mutants - April's X-Men spin-off that's being positioned as a horror film.
Interesting as well is the fact that Hugh Jackman goes on record as stating he will not be involved with the Laura movie in any way, as he intends to keep his Adamantium claws hung up for good:
"No, I won't be a producer on the Laura sequel, but I will be lining up on Thursday night at 10 PM to watch it though. She is just phenomonal."
Side note: Hugh Jackman is one of the most gracious, beautiful human beings in Hollywood right now, even going as far as to embrace the inevitability of his most iconic role more than likely returning without his involvement (but they do have his blessing):
"I hope it will be recast."
You should really go on and check out the entire piece, which is a super great read and even delves into Patrick Stewart's chances at winning an Oscar for Logan. Then you should go watch Logan again, just because it rules so damn hard.