In a recent interview with Today (via @_ChristopherM), Denzel Washington went over some of his incoming projects, and he mentioned, “… Ryan Coogler’s writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.”

So, Denzel Washington said he's got a role in #BlackPanther3…so much for that insane Dormammu/DOCTOR STRANGE 3 rumor that never made sense. pic.twitter.com/jxFIQvCnN1

— Christopher Marc (@_ChristopherM) November 12, 2024

It’s too early to find out who Washington could play, but some speculate that he could be playing the part of the first-ever Black Panther in a flashback. Washington is also diverse enough that he could play an intimidating villain.

By the end of Wakanda Forever, Shuri keeps the mantle of Black Panther, but she hands over the ruling powers to M’Baku (Winston Duke). It’s also been revealed that T’Challa actually had a son with Nakia (also named T’Challa), and some are guessing that he could be the lead of the future Black Panther movies.

With so much time between Wakanda Forever and the next film, T’Challa II could very well be a Miles Morales-age Black Panther if they decide refocus the story around him. As of now, there hasn’t been any update with Shuri’s character, and there have been reports that there was a little trouble with Letitia Wright when  production was ongoing for the last film.

The way things look BP3 could be aiming for a release after Secret Wars, but hopefully Ryan Coogler makes an official update soon.

No release date has been set for Black Panther 3, but you can catch Denzel Washington in Gladiator II which hits theaters on Nov. 22.