James Mangold’s Logan became more than a superhero movie when it was released in 2017. It is now considered both a great comic book film and western drama that brought many classic film trends back into the spotlight. The film follows a much older Logan (Hugh Jackman) who has been suffering from adamantium poisoning due to his weakened healing factor. All the while, he is tasked with helping an ill Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his daughter Laura (Dafne Keen). Although Logan alludes to Wolverine’s age being the cause of his weakened healing factor, one theorist has suggested something far more sinister contributed to his death.
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Much of Logan’s rage can be compared to an animal nearing the end of its life. As they approach death, they may be more violent and willing to fight till their last breath. This is exemplified by the titular character, who must deal with the trauma of an unforgiving world that continues to harm him and those he cares about. Now that he can’t heal as fast, his only solace is alcohol, the potential silent killer all along.
The fan theory explains the mutant’s endangerment stems from a company called Transigen. Its practices are an offshoot of the work conducted in Alkali Lake during Logan’s time as Weapon X in the earlier films. Rather than develop a cure, their lead scientist, Dr. Price (Richard E. Grant), offers a solution through gene therapy put in fertilizer and corn syrup and mass-produced for the country’s food supply. Ultimately, this means that every piece of food not grown or hunted naturally suppresses the mutant gene. Corn syrup is also frequently found in alcoholic beverages like beer, which Logan drinks heavily.
That implies that with every drink, Logan is slowly treating his mutation. However, rather than his powers being fully eliminated, his healing factor fights it off in a long-losing battle. This could explain his rapid aging compared to his last appearance in Days of Future Past if the two are in the same continuity.
One problem with the theory involves the film’s other mutants like Professor X. It’s possible that he is eating the same foods as everyone else but his powers, when they aren’t suppressed with drugs, seem to work normally. However, this could mean that the gene therapy works differently with each mutant. The Professor could’ve also consumed less or eaten more natural foods than Logan, who spends more time in public.
Whether the theory is true or not, it only serves to add to the film’s already tragic conclusion. The irony is the only thing that numbed Logan’s pain was killing him. Still, Logan is by no means meant to show the beauty of being a superhero. Instead, it shows the lengths a person will go to do what’s right, even if they are so close to the end.
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