Ryan Coogler Confirms ‘Black Panther 3’ for 2028, Casts David Jonsson as New T’Challa

Director Ryan Coogler confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026 that a third Black Panther film is officially in development. The filmmaker announced that Black Panther 3 will be released in theaters on December 15, 2028, and will feature a new star in the title role.

Coogler, the Oscar-winning director of the first two films, revealed the news during Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation. The event also introduced actor David Jonsson as the performer who will inherit the mantle of Black Panther.

What Are the Specifics of the Announcement?

The Comic-Con panel delivered several concrete details about the future of the franchise:

• Release Date: December 15, 2028
• New Star: David Jonsson will play T’Challa
• Character Details: Jonsson will portray the adult version of T’Challa’s son, who was introduced as a young boy named Toussaint in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
• Returning Director: Ryan Coogler will direct.
• Confirmed Cast Member: Denzel Washington has a role in the film.

From the stage, Jonsson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. "I want to say thank you so much," he said. "Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, [Kevin Feige]. Thank you to this amazing family that I honor, [it’s] a privilege and blessing to join." He added, "I don’t want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking, but believe me, the honor is entirely mine."

Who Is Involved in the Project?

Ryan Coogler returns to direct the third installment, having helmed the first two films in the series. His 2018 film Black Panther was a cultural and commercial phenomenon, grossing over $1.33 billion worldwide and earning a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. He most recently wrote and directed the 2025 horror film Sinners.

The new lead, David Jonsson, is a 32-year-old actor known for his roles in HBO’s Industry and the films Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk. He will play a character directly connected to the legacy of Chadwick Boseman’s original T’Challa. According to reports from Entertainment Weekly, Oscar-winner Denzel Washington is also confirmed for a role in the sequel, fulfilling earlier comments he made about Coogler writing a part for him.

How Does This Fit into the MCU's Future?

The confirmation of Black Panther 3 represents a major building block for Marvel’s cinematic future beyond the Multiverse Saga. The Black Panther franchise is one of the studio’s most critically acclaimed and commercially reliable properties. The 2022 sequel, Wakanda Forever, which saw Letitia Wright’s Shuri become the new Black Panther following Boseman’s passing, grossed $859 million worldwide.

This third film signals a planned generational shift, moving the story forward with the son of the original hero. The narrative groundwork was laid in Wakanda Forever, where Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia revealed she had been raising her son with T’Challa in secret.

What Happens Next?

With a release date set for the end of 2028, the project is now in active development. The next major milestones will likely include further casting announcements, a finalized script, and the beginning of pre-production. While the core creative team is in place, many details about the plot and the full returning cast remain under wraps.

The film is confirmed for a theatrical release and will not debut on a streaming service. As with previous installments, it is expected to be a large-format cinematic event.

FAQ

Who will be the villain in Black Panther 3? No villain has been announced. The focus of the initial announcement was on confirming the new lead actor and the release date. Given the character's connection to the underwater kingdom of Talokan, Tenoch Huerta's Namor could potentially return, but this has not been confirmed.

Will Letitia Wright's Shuri still be in the movie? Letitia Wright's involvement has not been confirmed for Black Panther 3, though she is set to appear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The film's premise, focusing on T’Challa's son taking the mantle, suggests Shuri's role may evolve, but her status remains unannounced.

Is this connected to Ryan Coogler's X-Files reboot? No. Ryan Coogler recently wrapped production on a reboot of The X-Files, but that is a separate television project. His commitment to directing Black Panther 3 is his next confirmed feature film endeavor.

What happened to the original plans for Black Panther 3 with Chadwick Boseman? Original plans for the franchise were upended following Chadwick Boseman's death in 2020. The storyline for Wakanda Forever was rewritten, and the series is now continuing with a new character bearing the T’Challa name, honoring the legacy while moving the narrative forward.

Sources

• Box Office Mojo
• Marvel Studios