Winston Duke Confirms Return for 'Black Panther 3', David Jonsson Joins Cast

Winston Duke will reprise his role as M'Baku in Black Panther 3, with David Jonsson joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the new Black Panther. The news was confirmed at Marvel's San Diego Comic-Con Hall H panel, according to reports from Variety, Entertainment Weekly, and Polygon.

Letitia Wright is also set to return as Shuri, who took on the mantle of the Black Panther in the previous film.

What Are the Key Details of the Casting?

The announcement solidifies the core creative team and introduces a major new star to the franchise.

• David Jonsson is cast as Prince T'Challa II, the son of the late Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa.
• Winston Duke returns as the fan-favorite M'Baku, leader of the Jabari tribe.
• Ryan Coogler is back as director.
• Letitia Wright returns as Shuri.

Who Is David Jonsson Playing?

David Jonsson will portray T'Challa's son, who was introduced as a young boy named Toussaint at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His Wakandan name is T'Challa, honoring his father. The character is expected to come of age and inherit the Black Panther mantle in the new film, suggesting a significant time jump from the events of the 2022 sequel.

Jonsson is a rising star who won the 2025 BAFTA Rising Star Award. His recent credits include starring roles in Alien: Romulus (2024) and the Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk (2025). At the Comic-Con panel, Jonsson expressed his gratitude, saying, "I want to say thank you so much. Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, [Kevin Feige]. Thank you to this amazing family that I honor, [it's] a privilege and blessing to join."

The Return to Wakanda

Black Panther 3 marks Ryan Coogler's return to the franchise he launched with the historic 2018 film. The 2022 sequel, Wakanda Forever, was a heartfelt tribute to Boseman following his passing and grossed $859 million globally.

The third film will continue the story of the technologically advanced nation of Wakanda. According to the verified premise, it will follow "T'Challa's son, Toussaint, as the new Black Panther." The return of key players like Coogler, Duke, and Wright provides continuity, while Jonsson's casting signals a new chapter for the superhero lineage.

What Happens Next?

It will follow other major Marvel releases, including Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars. Letitia Wright's Shuri will also appear in Avengers: Doomsday before her return in the solo franchise.

While Denzel Washington was previously mentioned by the actor himself as having a role written for him, his involvement was not confirmed during the Comic-Con panel. The core cast and creative direction for Black Panther 3 are now established, with production likely to begin in the coming years ahead of the 2028 premiere.

Ryan Coogler's Filmmaking Format

Ryan Coogler will shoot Black Panther 3 on a larger format celluloid film rather than digitally, according to Polygon. This technical choice follows his recent work directing the film Sinners, for which he won an Oscar. Coogler's return to the franchise also raises questions about the status of his reboot of The X-Files, starring Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel, which just wrapped production as of July 2026.

While Coogler wrote and directed the X-Files pilot, that does not guarantee his direct involvement in every episode if the show is greenlit to series. His commitment to Black Panther 3 solidifies his central role in shaping the next chapter of the Wakandan saga. The director's preference for celluloid suggests a distinct visual approach for the 2028 release.