Denzel Washington is about to star in Black Panther 3, director Ryan Coogler confirmed in a brand new interview.
Final 12 months Marvel formally confirmed that Black Panther 3 is in improvement, and that it’s planning for a February 2028 launch. The information got here as longtime Marvel government Nate Moore introduced he’s set to go away the studio in 2025 however will probably be engaged on Black Panther 3 earlier than he departs.
Now, Coogler mentioned that Washington is about to have a task within the upcoming Black Panther film, saying that the actor is like “household”. Whereas showing as a visitor on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Coogler instructed host Carmelo Anthony that he’s been attempting to work with Washington “since day one”.
“Denzel is household at this level…I’ve been attempting to work with him since day one,” he mentioned. “I believe he’s the best residing actor, and when it comes to what he means to our tradition, overlook about it. I’ve been speaking to him about this for a very long time.”
This comes after Washington let information slip final 12 months that he was working with Coogler. Whereas on the press tour for Gladiator 2 the actor revealed on Australia’s Right this moment present that Black Panther 3 director Ryan Coogler was writing him a task for the film – earlier than any official announcement had taken place.
“I used to be stunned when he talked about it, but it surely’s not prefer it’s not true,” the director mentioned on the podcast.
Black Panther was launched in 2018, starring the late Chadwick Boseman because the titular character. The primary sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Endlessly, got here out in 2022, with Boseman’s demise in 2020 written into the story.
In a four-star overview, NME known as the sequel a “magical memorial” to the actor, and mentioned: “What actually makes the movie stand out is its mature ambiance. That is about grief, extra so than another Marvel film, and the legacy one leaves behind.
“‘To me – he was every part. My T’Challa,’ says Nakia, in a heartfelt second that probably displays the best way many felt about Chadwick Boseman. The movie finishes with a dedication to him – though possibly there was no want. Wakanda Endlessly is, itself, a becoming tribute to him.”