LOS ANGELES — In a thrilling update for Marvel fans, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has officially confirmed that Denzel Washington will star in the highly anticipated Black Panther 3.
Speaking on the popular 7PM in Brooklyn podcast hosted by NBA icon Carmelo Anthony, Coogler, 39, responded to earlier speculation surrounding Washington’s involvement in the franchise. The director said plainly: “There’s no fiction out there about that,” affirming Washington’s upcoming role.
“Denzel is family at this point,” Coogler said. “I’ve been trying to work with him since day one. I think he’s the greatest living actor — and in terms of what he means to our culture, forget about it.”
A Long-Awaited Collaboration
Washington, 70, had previously revealed in interviews that Coogler was developing a role specifically for him. While Marvel Studios has not yet revealed plot details for Black Panther 3, insiders believe Washington’s role will be central to the story’s new direction following the death of original star Chadwick Boseman in 2020.
Coogler’s previous Black Panther films — 2018’s original and 2022’s Wakanda Forever — received critical acclaim and generated over 2.3 billion USD in global box office revenue combined, turning the Wakandan saga into one of Marvel’s most emotionally resonant storylines.
Denzel Enters the MCU
This marks the first time that the two-time Academy Award winner will appear in a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. Fans are already speculating about whether he’ll play a Wakandan elder, a new rival king, or perhaps a long-lost ancestor — a role of gravitas and complexity befitting one of the most revered actors of our time.
Coogler, who is currently riding high on the success of his latest film Sinners, has often spoken about the cultural importance of bringing Black icons to the big screen in meaningful, genre-defying ways.
“I’ve been talking to him about this for a long time,” Coogler noted on the podcast. “This isn’t just casting — it’s personal.”
What’s Next for Black Panther 3?
Marvel has yet to announce an official release date for Black Panther 3, but production is rumored to begin in late 2025, with a likely release window in 2026 or early 2027. The film will reportedly continue exploring the legacy of Wakanda, now led by Shuri (Letitia Wright), while introducing new power players in the post-Multiverse Saga MCU era.
With Denzel Washington now in the mix, Black Panther 3 is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated entries in Marvel’s Phase 6.
