Sinners Star Delroy Lindo Wants In on Black Panther 3 — and He Told Ryan Coogler Himself

Ryan Coogler is having a monster year. His 2025 thriller Sinners — led by Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld — turned into a global phenomenon and racked up a record 16 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. And now, with his schedule pointing back toward the MCU, a familiar face is raising a hand for Black Panther 3.

Where Black Panther 3 stands

There is no official title or release date yet. The chatter puts it near the front of the MCU’s Phase 7 lineup, which would place it after Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The Black Panther corner of the franchise already has a loaded, A-list ensemble, and Coogler is expected to continue steering that world when he returns to Marvel in the near future.

Delroy Lindo wants in

While discussing his work on Sinners recently, Delroy Lindo made it clear he is very open to joining Coogler’s next Wakanda chapter. Not a shock — if you just collaborated with a filmmaker whose movie broke the all-time Oscar nominations record, you probably keep that creative line open.

"I expressed to Ryan that if the stars line up, I would love to be in 'Black Panther 3.' One of the things he said to me was anything that he were to offer me, he would want to be sure that it was worth my time. He didn't say exactly that, but that's essentially the sentiment. And I respect that."

So no, this is not a casting announcement. But Lindo and Coogler have talked, and they seem aligned on one key point: if it happens, it needs to be a role that matters.

The takeaway

Coogler just delivered the most Oscar-nominated film in history and is gearing up for more Black Panther. Lindo — fresh off working with him — is game to jump in, as long as the part is worth the swing. If Phase 7 really does kick off after Secret Wars in 2027, keep an eye on where Black Panther 3 lands in that shuffle.