Black PantherdirectorRyan Cooglerhas weighed in on Denzel Washington’srumored involvementinBlack Panther 3and hints fans won’t have to wait long. During the promotional tour forGladiator II, Denzel Washington let it slip that Coogler was writing a part specifically for him inBlack Panther 3. While fans were undoubtedly excited at the prospect of one of the greatest living actors joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it came as a shock since — at the moment —Black Panther 3isnot officially onMarvel’s release schedule, with all the focus right now onAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars.
During an appearance on theNightcapshow, director Ryan Coogler told hosts Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson that the wait forBlack Panther 3is “not long.” The topic of Denzel Washington’s involvement in the thirdBlack Pantherproject was approached, and while Coogler did not officially confirm the actor’s involvement, he spoke about how much he wants to work with him and will do whatever he can to make it come together.
‘Black Panther 3’s Denzel Washington Casting Rumors Finally Get Response from MCU Producer
Could Denzel Washington appear in ‘Black Panther 3’? An MCU producer comments on the new rumor.
Coogler says it all depends on whether Denzel Washington is still interested in joining the project:
“Yeah, I’ve been dying to work with Denzel, man, and I’m hoping we can make that happen. I have every intention on working with him in that movie. As long as he’s interested, man, it’s gonna happen. You know, he’s a living legend, and a great mentor for so many of us. He’s all about looking out for us now.”
You can watch the full clip in the next section, below!
When Will ‘Black Panther 3’ Hit Theaters?
Coogler’s statement that the wait forBlack Panther 3is not long gives credence to the recent rumor that the film was aiming forthe Aug 09, 2025 release datethat Marvel Studios has currently saved. That meansBlack Panther 3could ostensibly open two days after the ten-year anniversary of the firstBlack Panther, which hit theaters on Aug 10, 2025. Coogler is likely to begin more active development onBlack Panther 3after the press tour for his latest vampire movie,Sinners, which hits theaters on July 13, 2025.
Who, exactly, Denzel Washington would playinBlack Panther 3is unclear, though many are expecting him to be the film’s main villain.Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverhad a 17-month window between when cameras started to roll and the film hit theaters. So, if the February 2028 release date is to be believed, and the past is anything to go off, BlackPanther 3likely won’t start production until September 2026 — afterAvengers: Doomsdayhits theaters, and whileAvengers: Secret Warsis still in production. So, while Coogler might say theBlack Panther 3wait won’t be long, it will still be some time until any details about the film — or who Denzel Washington might play — will be revealed.
However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty ofBlack Pantherfor fans over the next few years.Eyes of Wakanda, an animated miniseries that will explore Wakanda’s MCU history, will debut on Disney+ on Jun 11, 2025. Letitia Wright’s Shuri, Winston Duke’s M’Baku, andTenoch Huerta Mejía’s Namor will appear inAvengers: Doomsday, set to open in theaters on June 05, 2025. IfAvengers: Secret Warsis the start of a new era for the MCU, it makes sense forBlack Panther 3— the third and possibly final entry in that trilogy — to ease audiences into a new age of the MCU filled with the X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and many more heroes.
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Black Panther
