Ryan Coogler Reveals That His Next Movie Is Black Panther 3
Ryan Coogler just lit up the internet after confirming what fans have been whispering about for months: “Black Panther 3” is officially his next film.
On November 15, during Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event, Coogler didn’t dodge the question. He didn’t tease. He didn’t play coy. He said exactly what fans have been begging to hear.
“Yeah, we’re working on it hard,” Coogler said. “It’s my next movie.”
Short. Direct. And carrying enough weight to shake the entire MCU fandom.
This moment hit even harder because of the emotional history tied to the franchise. The first Black Panther dropped in 2018 and instantly became a cultural reset. Then came the heartbreaking passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, leaving fans grieving not just the actor, but the spiritual heart of the story. Marvel refused to recast T’Challa, and Wakanda Forever centered on grief, resilience, and legacy as Shuri stepped into the Black Panther role.
Now Coogler stepping forward to say the next chapter is already in motion feels like a full-circle moment — a continuation of a story that changed Hollywood.
Although plot details are still under wraps, it’s expected that familiar faces like Letitia Wright’s Shuri, Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia, Danai Gurira’s Okoye, and Winston Duke’s M’Baku will return. And honestly, the thought of Angela Bassett potentially appearing in flashback scenes is enough to make fans emotional all over again.
But Coogler didn’t stop there — he recently mentioned he wants to bring someone iconic into Wakanda next.
Ryan Coogler Talks Future Cast Hopes, Including Dreams of Working With Denzel Washington
Coogler already knows how to honor legacy and elevate Black storytelling, but hearing him talk about who he wants to bring into the next chapter? It just hits different.
During a March 2025 interview on the Nightcap podcast, Coogler opened up about a dream partnership that would send shockwaves across the entire film industry.
“I’m dying to work with Denzel and I’m hoping we can make that happen,” he said. “I got every intention of working with him in that movie and as long as he’s interested—it’s going to happen.”Imagine Denzel Washington walking through the throne room of Wakanda. The presence. The authority. The power. It feels like a role he was born to play, even though nothing is confirmed yet. But hearing Coogler speak on it with that kind of intention makes it feel more possible than ever.
The MCU is at a crossroads right now. Superhero fatigue is real. The studio has taken hits. Fans are choosing carefully what they show up for. But Black Panther is different. It’s one of the few franchises that connects emotionally, culturally, spiritually, and artistically.If Coogler really does bring Denzel into this universe, that’s not just a casting choice — that’s a moment of Black cinematic history.
And with Coogler confirming he’s already deep in the process, fans can trust that he’s building on something meaningful. Something layered. Something worthy of the legacy Boseman left behind.
