In a surprising revelation, Denzel Washington has created immense excitement among fans by announcing his role in Ryan Coogler’s upcoming film, Black Panther 3. Following his manipulative portrayal of a villain in Gladiator II, Washington’s involvement marks a significant milestone as it will reportedly be one of his final performances before he transitions into retirement from acting. Although Kevin Feige officially confirmed Black Panther 3, the details surrounding Washington’s character are being tightly guarded, sparking a wave of speculation across social media.
Fans have been buzzing with theories, particularly around the possibility of Washington embodying a disruptive character similar to Macrinus, the role he played in Coogler’s earlier project. It has even been rumored that the acclaimed actor could portray the comic book character Achebe from the Black Panther series. Ryan Coogler’s third installment in the Black Panther saga has been shrouded in secrecy at Marvel Studios. However, due to Denzel Washington’s accidental disclosure during the promotions for Gladiator II, Feige felt compelled to make an announcement ahead of the planned timeline.
During an interview with Australia’s Today program, Washington inadvertently touched on his forthcoming collaboration with Coogler, announcing, “Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.” After realizing his slip, Washington expressed regret to Variety, stating, “I called [Coogler] and apologized for talking about the movie.” This moment showcased Washington’s passion for the project, albeit wrapped in a thin layer of frustration over the premature sharing of news.
According to insider reports from @MyTimeToShineH and Murphy’s Multiverse, Denzel Washington may be stepping into the shoes of a genius villain hailing from the comics—specifically, the character Reverend Doctor Michael Ibn al-Hajj Achebe. Achebe is depicted as a mad genius who forms an ominous alliance with the devil, Mephisto. His entrance into Wakanda takes place amid an ethnic conflict he instigated, allowing him to manipulate the political landscape significantly.
In the comics, Achebe orchestrates an extensive scandal that prompts an investigation against a Wakanda-backed non-profit organization, with the ultimate goal of drawing T’Challa away from the nation to execute a coup d’état. Given that Angela Bassett’s character, Queen Ramonda, is no longer in the narrative following the events of Wakanda Forever, the stage is remarkably set for Achebe’s sinister schemes to take root. With Letitia Wright’s Shuri now positioned as a primary player, she must remain vigilant against this new threat, although her struggle against Achebe will likely not be fought alone.
The recent discussions around the potential recasting of T’Challa, five years after Chadwick Boseman’s passing, add another layer of complexity to the unfolding storyline. According to scooper Jeff Sneider, there are plans to introduce a new actor as T’Challa, which came as a shock given Marvel’s previous commitment to not recast the role in honor of Boseman. Following Boseman’s quiet battle with colon cancer, which sadly concluded in 2020, the character was scripturally laid to rest in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Sneider’s insights highlight that “the door is firmly open for T’Challa to be recast,” suggesting that this transition may occur within the expansive framework of the multiverse narrative. Additionally, he reported that despite Robert Downey Jr.’s surprise return as Doctor Doom, another actor approached for T’Challa declined, expressing concern over filling Boseman’s monumental legacy. It is speculated that the new T’Challa could potentially make his debut in Black Panther 3, thereby paving the way for new character dynamics and story arcs within the beloved franchise.
As fans eagerly await the next chapter in the Black Panther saga, streaming options for both past Black Panther entries and other Marvel films are currently available on Disney+. The anticipation surrounding Denzel Washington’s role as a genius villain adds an intense weight to the narrative, making Black Panther 3 one of the most-anticipated films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.