Marvel Confirms 'Black Panther 3,' With New Hero, Set for 2028
Marvel Studios finally put an end to years of speculation this weekend, announcing "Black Panther 3" during its Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con. The trilogy's closing chapter will hit theaters on December 15, 2028, with Ryan Coogler returning to write and direct.
David Jonsson, known for his roles in "Industry," "Rye Lane," and "Alien: Romulus," will step into the title role as T'Challa II, the son of the late King T'Challa and Nakia. The character, whose full name is Toussaint, was introduced as a young child during the closing moments of 2022's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." According to Variety, the new film will follow the prince as he comes of age and steps toward the Wakandan throne, setting up a coming of age story rather than a direct continuation of Shuri's arc.
Letitia Wright is confirmed to return as Shuri, who took up the Black Panther mantle in "Wakanda Forever" following Chadwick Boseman's death from colon cancer in 2020. Winston Duke is also back as M'Baku. Marvel has not said how the two heroes' stories will intersect, and no plot details were shared during the panel.
One name generating extra buzz is Denzel Washington, who is set to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the film. His role has not been disclosed, though Washington himself let the news slip in an interview back in late 2024, telling reporters that Coogler was writing a part for him. Marvel didn't officially confirm his involvement until this weekend's announcement, according to Gold Derby.
Coogler also revealed a notable production detail on stage. "Black Panther 3" will be shot entirely on large format celluloid film, a first for a Marvel Studios production. That choice signals a more intentional visual approach for a franchise that has already earned serious awards attention, including an Academy Award win for Ruth Carter's costume design on "Wakanda Forever."
The timing of the release explains part of the long wait. "Black Panther 3" lands well after "Avengers: Doomsday," due in December 2026, and "Avengers: Secret Wars," due in December 2027. That means Wakanda's next chapter will unfold in whatever version of the Marvel timeline exists once the studio's Multiverse Saga concludes. It also marks a six year gap since "Wakanda Forever" and a full decade since the original 2018 film introduced Boseman's T'Challa to audiences.
Filming has not yet begun, and Marvel has not detailed a production start date, though earlier reports pointed to a possible summer 2026 shoot in London. Given the late 2028 release and a production still getting underway, fans likely won't see a first trailer until sometime in 2027.
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