Marvel fans received a major boost this weekend as director Ryan Coogler all but confirmed his immediate return to the world of Wakanda. Speaking at event, the filmmaker, who helmed the first two Black Panther installments, indicated that the highly anticipated third film is firmly next on his directorial slate.
Coogler was pressed on whether he was returning to complete the trilogy, a question he answered with unmistakable certainty, given the setting.
Ryan Coogler: “If it were anybody but you, I would say, ‘I can neither confirm nor deny.’ But we’re working on it hard. … Yeah, it’s the next movie,” he revealed, referring to Black Panther 3.
When asked about the commencement of filming by Shannon Sharpe on the Nightcap podcast, Coogler offered a promising timeline: “Not long.”
A Star in the Mix: Denzel Washington
The confirmation of the sequel’s active development also sheds light on a previous rumor involving Hollywood legend Denzel Washington. During the promotion of Gladiator II, Washington had teased a potential role in the upcoming Marvel feature.
Coogler confirmed that he is actively writing a part for the veteran actor.
Ryan Coogler: “I’m dying to work with Denzel, and I’m hoping we can make that happen. I got every intention of working with him in that movie, and as long as he’s interested — it’s going to happen.”
The Legacy of T’Challa
The first film, released in 2018, starred the late Chadwick Boseman as King T’Challa/Black Panther. Following Boseman’s tragic passing, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) honored his legacy by shifting focus to Letitia Wright’s Shuri, who took up the mantle to protect Wakanda from encroaching global powers.
The specific plot details for Black Panther 3 remain tightly under wraps. However, with Coogler’s confirmation and the possibility of Denzel Washington joining the ensemble, the final chapter of the trilogy promises to be another high-stakes, character-driven event for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.