Black Panther 3: David Jonsson to Star as T’Challa II, New Black Panther
The Black Panther is returning to the big screen, with David Jonsson set to take on a major new role in Marvel’s “Black Panther 3.”
David Jonsson will play Prince T’Challa II in Black Panther 3, with Ryan Coogler returning to direct the Marvel sequel in December 2028.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Jonsson has been cast as the new Black Panther and will portray Prince T’Challa II, the son of T’Challa. The third film in the franchise is scheduled to arrive in theaters on Dec. 15, 2028.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
“Black Panther 3” will follow Prince T’Challa II as he comes of age. The character was first introduced as a child in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” where he was revealed as the son of T’Challa and Nakia, played by Lupita Nyong’o.
Ryan Coogler is returning to direct the third installment. Leticia Wright will also reprise her role as Shuri, while Winston Duke is returning as M’Baku. The casting and release news was announced during Marvel’s Comic-Con Hall H panel.
Wright previously took over the Black Panther mantle from her late co-star Chadwick Boseman in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” with Shuri becoming the franchise’s eponymous superhero. Boseman portrayed T’Challa in the first “Black Panther” film before dying of colon cancer at age 43 in 2020, while Coogler was working on the sequel.
Jonsson recently appeared in “Alien Romulus” and the adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Long Walk.” Meanwhile, Wright previously discussed the possibility of a third “Black Panther” movie with Variety in January 2023 following the release of “Wakanda Forever,” saying she believed the film was “already in the works.”
“You know, we just had a terrific two years of bringing it out and everybody coming together to support it,” Wright said in the interview. “We need a little bit of a break, we need to regroup and Ryan needs to get back into the lab, so it’s going to take a little while, but we’re really excited for you guys to see that.”
The original “Black Panther,” released in 2018, earned $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office. The film starred Boseman, Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Forrest Whitaker, Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira and Angela Bassett.
The first film also received seven Oscar nominations, including best picture, becoming the first superhero movie to receive that recognition. It ultimately won three Oscars for best costume design, best production design and best original score.
Released in 2022, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” grossed $859 million worldwide. The movie also recorded one of the most profitable opening weekends post-pandemic, earning $331 million worldwide.
“Wakanda Forever” received five Oscar nominations, while Angela Bassett’s nomination for best supporting actress marked the first time an actor in a Marvel film was nominated for an Academy Award.
While fans await Jonsson’s debut as the new Black Panther, Wright will return to action sooner as Shuri. She is part of the cast of the sprawling “Avengers: Doomsday,” which is set to hit theaters on Dec. 18.
