Actor David Jonsson will star as the new Black Panther in “Black Panther 3,” the next installment of the hit Marvel films, director Ryan Coogler revealed during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday.
Jonsson is set to portray an adult version of the son of T’Challa, the superhero and leader of Wakanda famously portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman in 2018’s “Black Panther.”
“Black Panther 3” is set to hit theaters on Dec. 15, 2028.
On Saturday, Coogler praised the “incredible” actor as well as his recent roles in 2024’s “Alien: Romulus” and 2025’s “The Long Walk” before he was welcomed by adoring fans at the convention.
“Thank you to this amazing family that I have the honor and the privilege and the blessing to join,” began Jonsson, who appeared alongside Coogler; “Black Panther” stars Letitia Wright and Winston Duke; and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige on the convention stage.
“I actually don’t want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking. But believe me, the honor is entirely mine. Thank you.”
T’Challa II, or Toussaint, was introduced to fans by his mother, Nakia (played by Lupita Nyong’o). during a post-credits scene of 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
That film sees T’Challa’s sister Shuri (played by Wright) become the next Black Panther following her brother’s death.
The movie’s script was rewritten after Boseman died from colon cancer in 2020.
Duke, who stars as M’Baku in the “Black Panther” movies, told Variety that he trusts Jonsson as an artist and expects him to be a great addition to the franchise.
“How I was greeted and received into this world — which was with a lot of grace, being told it’s a safe space to work, to play — that’s what I wanted to extend to him,” he said.
“I don’t have any advice. I know what I have to do with him, which is to play with him. I have to trust him. I have to give him the same grace that was extended to me.”
Wright, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, reacted to the “really beautiful” news of Jonsson’s casting, adding that the actor is a “special person” with a “good heart.”
She remarked on Shuri’s character growth over the course of the films, noting that she now has to pass on her wisdom and guidance to her nephew, T’Challa II.
“I’m going to have a really good time, a lot of fun and I’m going to pick on him so much,” teased Wright about working with Jonsson on “Black Panther 3.”
Both Duke and Wright will be part of the all-star cast of “Avengers: Doomsday,” which is set to hit theaters this December.
