The Marvel multiverse may never be the same again after Dafne Keen, yes, that Dafne Keen, the razor-clawed breakout star of Logan and The Acolyte’s mysterious Lyra, made a jaw-dropping appearance at the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Held at the iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and streamed live to Disney+ subscribers worldwide, the blue carpet affair was already stacked with A-list superstars, comic book legends, and surprise cameos. But one woman managed to steal the entire show without uttering a word. Just one look. One smolder. One power pose. And Twitter lost its damn mind.
“God, She’s Such a Baddie”: Social Media Erupts Over Dafne Keen’s Arrival
From the moment Keen stepped onto the carpet, styled in a sleek, fitted midnight-blue ensemble that played off Marvel’s signature cosmic palette, the internet went into full meltdown mode. X (formerly Twitter) users wasted no time unleashing a tidal wave of reactions ranging from awestruck admiration to absurdly thirsty confessionals.
“God she’s such a baddie,” one user tweeted, capturing the mood of the masses.
“Could stab me a million times with those claws and I wouldn’t even be mad,” another posted.
“How do people even date someone this fine? I would literally pass out every time I see her,” another tweet read, blurring the line between humor and hysteria.
One fan couldn’t resist connecting the dots between her presence and possible future Marvel appearances:
“WAIT… does this mean X-23 is coming back soon???”
And while many fans took the opportunity to simply admire, others expressed frustration over how Keen’s recent work hadn’t given her the spotlight she clearly deserves.
“This makes me hate The Acolyte even more. You hid… THAT, with make-up!”
“Can we give her a movie that doesn’t suck shit?”
“Kevin [Feige], bring her back and keep her as X-23 permanently and my life is yours.”
The most savage redemption arc?
“I want to formally apologize to Dafne Keen for saying she looked like Ben Shapiro in some Acolyte promos. That was clearly Disney’s fault.”
From Lyra Silvertongue to Marvel Showstopper: Dafne Keen’s Cinematic Journey
At just 20 years old, Keen has become a genre mainstay, first tearing into audiences’ hearts (and throats) as the feral Laura/X-23 in Logan (2017), before headlining HBO’s His Dark Materials as Lyra Silvertongue. Most recently, she played Jecki Lon in The Acolyte, a role that divided fans not because of her performance, but due to the show’s inconsistent reception.
Her presence at the Fantastic Four premiere, where she was not listed on the official cast, immediately fueled speculation. Is Keen reprising her role as X-23 in the MCU? Is she joining a Young Avengers lineup? Will she claw her way into the Deadpool & Wolverine multiverse madness? Marvel fans are starving, and Keen might just be the secret weapon Kevin Feige plans to unleash next.
Star-Studded Night With a Hint of the Cosmic
More than 3,000 attendees gathered for the cinematic spectacle, which celebrated the highly anticipated launch of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Marvel’s First Family was out in full force: Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm) all dazzled the crowd, alongside key supporting cast members Ralph Ineson (Galactus), Julia Garner (Silver Surfer), Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles.
Notably, Ioan Gruffudd, the Mr. Fantastic from the 2000s era, also walked the carpet, drawing nostalgic cheers.
Composer Michael Giacchino led a surprise live orchestral performance of the film’s musical suite, stunning both guests and online viewers alike. It was the first time a Disney+ livestream gave subscribers exclusive red-carpet access to a Marvel world premiere.
Also spotted on the carpet were Dave Bautista, Simu Liu, Xochitl Gomez, Regan Aliyah, Skai Jackson, and Trevor Jackson.
About the Film: Retro, Radiant, and Ravaged by Galactus
Directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision) and set against a stylized 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic backdrop, The Fantastic Four: First Steps chronicles the origin of Marvel’s first superhero family. The team must navigate their personal struggles, scientific ambitions, and family dynamics while fending off the universe-devouring threat of Galactus and his Herald, the mysterious and magnetic Silver Surfer.
Kevin Feige leads production, with executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis, Tim Lewis, and Robert Kulzer rounding out the dream team behind Marvel’s return to form.
Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters worldwide on July 25.
