“Wakanda forever.” Every Black Panther fan knows the iconic salute. Now, they’ll soon hear it again as Marvel officially moves forward with Black Panther 3.
At San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, director Ryan Coogler announced his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He confirmed that he will direct a third Black Panther film, which is set to hit the theaters on December 15, 2028.
But Coogler didn’t stop there. He also announced that David Jonsson will take on the mantle of the new Black Panther in the upcoming film. Jonsson will portray T’Challa’s grown son, who was unveiled at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia introduced Jonsson’s character, Toussaint, aka T’Challa II, in the post-credits scene of Wakanda Forever, Deadline reported. Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” played as the credits rolled.
After introducing Jonsson, Coogler revealed more details about the character he will portray, according to Marvel.
“The last time we got to make a movie, we introduced a character who is the son of the character that the great Chadwick Boseman played, our T’Challa, in that film. And today, I want to tell you that in this next film, he grows up [and] he comes of age,” he said.
The crowd gave Jonsson a standing ovation as he took the stage. “I want to say thank you so much,” he told the audience.
“Thank you Ryan, thank you Kevin [Feige], thank you to this amazing family that I have the honor and the privilege and the blessing to join. I actually 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,” Jonsson said.
Jonsson also starred as Gus Sackey in HBO’s Industry and as Dom in the 2023 film Rye Lane.
What to Expect From Black Panther 3
Meanwhile, Coogler also revealed that Black Panther 3 will be the first MCU film to be shot entirely on larger format celluloid film.
Denzel Washington will also join the cast, as previously announced.
Black Panther stars Letitia Wright and Winston Duke also joined Coogler, Feige, and Jonsson on stage.
Coogler first brought Wakanda to the screen with the 2018 blockbuster Black Panther, starring Boseman as T’Challa. He returned to direct the 2022 sequel, Wakanda Forever, with Wright leading the film as Shuri.
The first Black Panther grossed $1.3 billion and won three Oscars. The film also cemented Boseman’s status as a global star through his portrayal of one of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes. Boseman died of cancer in August 2020.
Following his death, Coogler and Marvel honored his legacy in Wakanda Forever by centering the story on T’Challa’s death. The 2022 sequel earned $859 million at the box office. It also won an Oscar for Ruth E. Carter’s costume design, making her the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards.
