Ryan Coogler is ready to return to Wakanda. The acclaimed director confirmed at Deadline's Contenders Film: Los Angeles that Black Panther 3 is his next project, putting an end to speculation about his future plans.
"If it was anybody but you, I would say, 'I can neither confirm or deny,'" Coogler teased, before revealing, "But we're working on it hard. ... Yeah, it's the next movie."
This announcement comes after Coogler's latest film, Sinners, a vampire thriller set in the Mississippi Delta, 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 previously hinted at his involvement in November 2024, saying, "Ryan Coogler's writing a part for me in the next Black Panther."
Following Chadwick Boseman's passing in 2020, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduced Letitia Wright as Shuri, the new Black Panther, and paid tribute 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. Rumours suggest Damson Idris might join as an older version of T'Challa's son, Toussaint.
