As excitement builds around the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans are buzzing with anticipation over the potential involvement of Denzel Washington in ‘Black Panther 3’. Although the movie is yet to be officially included in Marvel’s release schedule, director Ryan Coogler has hinted at a quicker than expected reveal. During a recent promotional tour for ‘Gladiator II’, Washington mentioned that Coogler is writing a role expressly for him, igniting rumors of his participation.
During an interview on the Nightcap show, Coogler assured hosts Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson that the wait for ‘Black Panther 3’ will not be long. He didn’t confirm Washington’s participation officially, but expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the celebrated actor. “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,” Coogler stated.
The prospect of Washington joining such a pivotal film within the beloved franchise brings both excitement and curiosity. An MCU producer’s comments on the rumor add another layer to the speculation as fans dream about the roles Washington could potentially embody. Whether as the film’s main antagonist or another key character, Washington’s involvement remains an exhilarating possibility.
Coogler’s indication that ‘Black Panther 3’ might be unveiled sooner than expected lends credence to rumors of a release date coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the original ‘Black Panther’. The speculated date is February 18, 2028, which positions the sequel perfectly two days after the original’s historic release on February 16, 2018. Coogler is likely to begin more active development on the film following his press tour for ‘Sinners’, his upcoming vampire movie slated for an April 18, 2025 premiere.
The mention of an anticipated timeline hints that, though the wait for ‘Black Panther 3’ will not be long, the production is still in its preliminary stages. Historical production data suggests filming could commence in September 2026, especially considering the Marvel calendar with ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ hitting theaters before then and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ still in the works. Thus, while Coogler reassures fans of a swift release, substantive updates on Washington’s role or the movie’s storylines may take time to surface.
Meanwhile, Marvel enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to, with more content set in Wakanda’s universe. The animated miniseries ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on August 6, 2025, showcasing the rich history of Wakanda within the MCU. Furthermore, familiar characters such as Shuri, M’Baku, and Namor are set to appear in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, set to release on May 1, 2026. If ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ signals a fresh era for the MCU, the third, potentially final, ‘Black Panther’ installment will seamlessly guide the audience into a new age filled with iconic heroes like the X-Men and The Fantastic Four.
