Ryan Coogler is ready to return to Wakanda. The acclaimed director confirmed to Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles that Black Panther 3 is his next project, ending speculation about his future plans.
“If it was anyone other than you, I’d say, ‘I can’t confirm or deny,'” Coogler teased, before revealing, “But we’re working hard on it. …Yeah, it’s the next movie.”
This announcement follows the release of Coogler’s latest film, Sinners, a vampire thriller set in the Mississippi Delta, which premiered to critical acclaim.
The director’s commitment to Black Panther 3 marks the final installment in the MCU trilogy that began with Chadwick Boseman’s iconic portrayal of T’Challa in 2018’s Black Panther.
Denzel Washington is set to join the cast, with Coogler confirming he is writing a role specifically for the legendary actor. Washington had already hinted at his involvement in November 2024, saying: “Ryan Coogler is writing a role for me in the next Black Panther.”
Following the death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduced Letitia Wright as Shuri, the new Black Panther, and paid homage to Boseman’s legacy.
The upcoming film promises to continue the story of Wakanda, with returning stars including Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira and Winston Duke.
Production is expected to begin in 2027, with a potential release in February 2028. Rumors suggest that Damson Idris could join the group as an older version of T’Challa’s son Toussaint.
