Logan Ending Explained: The X-Men Must End

Thanks to the overwhelming success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, audiences have been trained to accept that superhero characters needn’t ever retire. One of the primary raisons d’être of the MCU is its perpetuity. Like with the comic books themselves, writers will continue these stories for as long as possible. As such, the characters will be eternally trapped in their own second acts. They have origin stories, they learn how to be superheroes, they grow in power and estimation, and then they stay there, unable to leave. 

After a while, for the superhero, each supervillain must come to resemble the rock of Sisyphus; on a long enough timeline, being a superhero is ultimately a symbol of futility. Because the adventure must continue (since the character is popular and bankable enough to stay in the consciousness forever), they will never be allowed to die. When a superhero can finally meet their end, it’s an aberration — and a relief. 

Batman was allowed to finally leave the biz at the end of “The Dark Knight Rises.” The Eternals, after so many thousands of years of being alive, were granted the gift of anonymity; their story was finally permitted to be over. “Logan” was permitted to look back on his life, see a dark past, and step out with as much dignity as he could muster. Logan died. The X-Men died. Superheroes died. And the world is now a little more peaceful. 

Despite what “Logan” said, however, rumors are already abound about the next Wolverine. Logan died, but will still be dragged kicking and screaming back into his second act by the MCU. Wolverine will live on. That immortality is his blessing. It is also his curse.