- Denzel Washington to make his MCU debut in Black Panther 3
- Marvel has yet to confirm that the threequel is going ahead
- Washington says he’s spoken to series’ director Ryan Coogler
Denzel Washington is set to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Black Panther 3.
The acting icon seemingly confirmed the news during a recent interview with Australia’s Today show while promoting his role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II.
“At this point in my career, I’m only interested in working with the best,” Washington explained when asked about his plans for future roles. “I don’t know how many more films I will make, probably not that many. I want to do things that I haven’t done.”
The star then added that he had been talking to a number of directors about potential new characters to play. One of whom was Ryan Coogler, the same filmmaker behind 2018’s Black Panther and its 2022 sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
“I played Othello at 22, I’m now going to play it at 70,” explained Washington.
“After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.”
So far, there has been no word on who Washington might play or how he’ll fit into the wider MCU.
Will there be a Black Panther 3?
Despite Washington’s comments, neither Disney nor Marvel has yet to officially confirm that Black Panther 3 is in the works.
So far, the film has become one of the studio’s most profitable exports, with both of Coogler’s Black Panther films grossing over $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office.
2018’s Black Panther starred the late Chadwick Boseman in the title role, one that shot him to worldwide fame. The film co-starred Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o and Angela Bassett.
Boseman tragically passed away in 2020 after a private battle with colon cancer, aged just 43.
In 2022, Coogler returned to helm Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with speculation rife over who might take over Boseman’s character. Ultimately, the job went to Wright, with her character Shuri, princess of Wakanda, becoming the new Black Panther.
Black Panther 3 is reportedly in the works
Despite the radio silence from Marvel and Disney, talk of Black Panther 3 has been doing the rounds since early 2023.
During a red carpet event for the Golden Globes, series star Wright is reported to have told Variety that she thinks it’s “already in the works” – but it may be a while away.
“You know, we just had a terrific two years of just bringing it out and everybody coming together to support it,” said Wright of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
“We need a little bit of a break, we need to regroup, and Ryan [Coogler] needs to get back into the lab so it’s going to take a while, but really excited for you guys to see that.”
