Millie Bobby Brown recently revealed that she was “heartbroken” after failing to secure a role in the 2017 Marvel film Logan. During an appearance on the Entertainment Weekly series Lie vs. Lie, the actress shared that she participated in a screen test for the film when she was 11 or 12 years old, ultimately losing the part of Laura to Dafne Keen.
The role of Laura, also known as X-23, became a breakout performance for Keen, who starred alongside Hugh Jackman in the critically acclaimed superhero film. While reflecting on the audition process, Brown admitted that she sensed the outcome before it was official. “I remember leaving just feeling like I probably didn’t get it, and there was someone else that was better,” Brown said during the interview. She described the rejection as a particularly difficult experience, adding, “I was broken. I was really broken.”
The Impact of the Logan Audition
For young actors in Hollywood, high-profile auditions are frequent, but the Logan casting process remains a notable moment in Brown’s early career. The film, directed by James Mangold, required a young performer capable of matching the intensity of Hugh Jackman’s final outing as the character Logan. According to reports from the production, the search for the character of Laura was extensive, as the role was central to the film’s narrative success.
Dafne Keen’s performance in Logan earned widespread praise, cementing her place in the Marvel cinematic landscape. Her portrayal was so well-received that she eventually returned to the role in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine. For Brown, the disappointment of the Logan audition occurred just before her career trajectory shifted significantly with her casting in the Netflix series Stranger Things, which premiered in 2016.
Career Growth Following the Rejection
Despite the setback of missing out on the Marvel role, Brown’s professional path accelerated rapidly. Following her debut as Eleven in Stranger Things, she became one of the most recognizable young actors in the entertainment industry. Her filmography has since expanded to include leading roles in the Enola Holmes franchise, the fantasy film Damsel, and the Godzilla series.
Brown’s experience highlights a common reality in the film industry: the nature of casting often involves intense competition where even high-caliber auditions do not guarantee a role. Her subsequent success demonstrates how a single missed opportunity does not necessarily define an actor’s long-term career. Instead, her work with major streaming platforms and blockbuster franchises has established her as a consistent presence in modern cinema.
Reflecting on Early Industry Experiences
The candid nature of Brown’s comments on Lie vs. Lie provides insight into the emotional toll that the audition process can take on young performers. While the industry often focuses on the final results of casting, the perspective shared by Brown emphasizes the vulnerability required during the development of a professional career.
As Brown continues her work in Hollywood, including upcoming projects like The Electric State, her reflection on the Logan audition serves as a reminder of the resilience required in the entertainment sector. Both Brown and Keen have moved forward in their respective careers, with Keen’s recent return to the Marvel universe and Brown’s ongoing commitment to various film and television projects marking them both as significant figures in contemporary media.
Readers interested in the latest developments regarding Millie Bobby Brown’s upcoming projects can follow updates through official studio announcements and industry news outlets. Feel free to share your thoughts on the evolution of these young stars in the comments section below.