"We have adult Westerns and adult science-fiction movies, but somehow comic book movies -- even by their nature and titles -- seem like they're for 12-year-olds," he recently told Moviefone at a press event for his latest film, which will reportedly be Hugh Jackman's last time going snkit as Wolverine.
The director, who also co-wrote "Logan," described Mark Millar's original take as Clint Eastwood in the Western "Unforgiven."
Mangold wanted more "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Paper Moon" than the typically sexualized actress playing a younger superhero, which led to a central question: "How do you make an adult, intense movie, but you involve the issues of children coming to terms with the darkness of the adult world?"
The filmmaker told Moviefone that he sees a longer shelf-life for X-23 beyond "Logan," so perhaps there's room to explore her story further in the future.
"Logan" hits theaters March 3.
