Ryan Coogler Confirms MCU Return — Black Panther 3 Is His Next Movie
Fresh off slaying vampires in the Mississippi Delta, Ryan Coogler is heading back to Wakanda, setting Black Panther 3 as his next MCU mission.
Ryan Coogler is officially packing his bags for Wakanda again. After detouring to the Mississippi Delta for Sinners, he just told a room full of industry folks he’s making Black Panther 3 next. No hedging, no coy dance. It’s happening.
What Coogler said, straight from the stage
Coogler confirmed the news at Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event. A clip of the moment hit social media right after, but here’s the gist from the man himself:
"If it was anybody but you, I would say, 'I can neither confirm or deny.' But we’re working on it hard. ... Yeah, it’s the next movie."
Oh, and the Denzel thing? Not a rumor
A while back, Denzel Washington let slip that Coogler is writing a role for him in the next Black Panther. Coogler backed that up on stage. So yes: Denzel + Coogler + Wakanda is a real conversation, not just wishful thinking on the internet.
Who wears the suit now?
Quick recap to ground the conversation: the Black Panther is a mantle in the world of the film, not a single person’s permanent gig. Chadwick Boseman originated the role of T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War and led Coogler’s first Black Panther, then returned for Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Boseman passed away from colon cancer in August 2020, a loss that reshaped everything about this series. In 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Letitia Wright’s Shuri became the new Black Panther.
As of today, Shuri is still the Panther in MCU canon. That said, the rumor mill is working overtime on whether someone else might take up the mantle in BP3. The buzziest name right now is Damson Idris (yes, the one from F1: The Movie). On Today, Craig Melvin asked Idris point-blank if he’s talked to Marvel about becoming the next Black Panther. Idris made a frustrated little sound, then blurted, "Yes, no!" Melvin noted that usually means yes in their line of work; Idris countered it could also mean no. When Melvin finally asked, "If they ask, would you say yes?" Idris answered, "Yes," and kept a straight face. Translation: he’s interested, he’s careful, and he’s not trying to get in trouble for spilling anything early. The MCU has a long history of playful near-spoilers, and nobody wants to be the next famous oops.
Where this all leaves us
- 2016: Chadwick Boseman debuts as T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War.
- 2018: Coogler’s Black Panther becomes a phenomenon.
- 2018–2019: Boseman returns in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
- August 2020: Boseman passes away from colon cancer.
- 2022: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever crowns Letitia Wright’s Shuri as the new Black Panther.
- Recently: Coogler steps away to make Sinners in the Mississippi Delta.
- Now: At Deadline’s Contenders LA, Coogler confirms Black Panther 3 is his next movie, and says Denzel Washington does indeed have a part being written for him.
- Meanwhile: Damson Idris teases interest on Today but stops short of confirming anything.
Bottom line
Black Panther 3 is next on Coogler’s docket. Denzel’s involvement is being written into the plan. Shuri is still the Panther for now, and Damson Idris is playing the classic dance of I can’t say anything while basically saying something. More to come once Marvel starts locking pieces into place and the studio machine kicks into announcement mode.