Logan: We Finally Know Which Mad Scientist Richard E. Grant is Playing 

Today @wponx posted another of the what now have become famous black and white production stills from the tenth

. The picture is of actor Richard E. Grant and the caption bears a single word: Rice. The post would seem to all but confirm Grant’s much-speculated role as Dr. Zander Rice (and not Mr. Sinister as many previously speculated), head of Transigen and Weapon X fanboy. Audiences should rejoice.

Richard E. Grant is like a Shakespearean cartoon. Classically-trained, with a range that knows no bounds and a reputation for playing characters both zany and nefarious, one can’t imagine someone better suited to play a comic-book villain on the big screen than this legendary actor. He came to prominence as the title role in the cult-classic,

 and has maintained a storied career in stage, television, and film in the 30 years since. His more recent credits include cantankerous actor Izembaro on

 and Jessa’s pilled-out surrogate father/party buddy, Jasper, on

The revelation that Grant is playing Dr. Zander Rice (that’s a REALLY lame caption if he’s not) offers nearly iron-clad assurance that

 will introduce X-23. For those who are more comic-watchers than comic-readers, X-23 is a female clone of Wolverine. In his efforts to resurrect the Weapon X program that created Wolverine, Deadpool and others, Dr. Rice created Logan’s female clone and forced one of his associates to carry “Laura” to term.

Dafne Keen and Hugh Jackman as Laura and Logan.

In the comics, he proceeds to raise her in a physically and mentally abusive environment until finally, she becomes the assassin he wants. Since April of this year, fans have been speculating that this storyline will be

‘s primary narrative. Jackman revealed at SDCC 2015 that this would be his final turn as the iconic mutant. The storyline is fitting,

Logan will take place in the near future of the X-timeline, and sees the titular character finally starting to age as his regenerative healing powers start to weaken in a post-apocalyptic world. Patrick Stewart will also reprise his iconic role as Dr. Charles Xavier. No word on whether or not this will be his last 

Logan: We Finally Know Which Mad Scientist Richard E. Grant is Playing

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