Denzel Washington hinted that not only is ‘Black Panther 3’ in the works, but that he will play a role written exclusively for him before his retirement.
The Oscar winner confirmed the role in the Marvel film while speaking with Today’s program on Australia’s Channel 9 on Monday.
Washington was talking about his upcoming films when he revealed that ‘Black Panther’ director and co-writer Ryan Coogler is ‘writing a role’ for him.
The actor added that he would later appear in the films ‘Othello’ and ‘King Lear’ before retiring from acting.
The late ‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman praised Washington on multiple occasions after the ‘American Gangster’ star paid his tuition to attend the British American Drama Academy’s summer program.
Denzel Washington hinted that ‘Black Panther 3’ was in the works and said he will have a role in the film
After Washington made his big reveal, dozens of social media users expressed their excitement for his upcoming role in ‘Black Panther 3.’
“Denzel Washington is spoiled for being in Black Panther 3 before it even starts filming because in my opinion it will be one of his last movies, it’s fucking great,” said one X user. wrote.
Other excited Marvel fans believe Washington could be a great villain in the film.
‘Denzel Washington as a Black Panther villain would be amazing,’ an X user wrote.
At least one X user thought Washington had secretly hinted at his performance in ‘Black Panther 3’ much earlier.
‘Not long ago. Denzel said it was time he was almost done with acting. Years ago, Chadwick Boseman talked about how without Denzel Washington there was no such thing as him,” an X user. tweeted.
‘There was no Black Panther (as we know it). I don’t know, maybe this seems like the moment Denzel was talking about.
Washington will appear in a few more film projects before retiring from acting.
Social media users were excited to learn that Washington would have a role in Black Panther 3.
The first Black Panther film was a critical and commercial success in 2018, grossing more than $1.3 billion at the box office.
Boseman played Black Panther and starred alongside Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright and Angela Bassett.
Following Boseman’s death from colon cancer in 2020, the script for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was rewritten.
Nyong’o, Wright and Bassett reprized their roles in the sequel and Jordan made a surprise cameo.
The sequel, which was released in 2022, grossed more than $850 million at the box office and was praised by critics.
Audiences also praised Marvel for their decision not to recast Boseman’s role as Black Panther.
Marvel Studios has not officially confirmed that a third ‘Black Panther’ film is in development despite the revelation of Washington’s role.
However, the television series inspired by ‘Black Panther’ called ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ will premiere on Disney+ in August 2025.
Boseman was highly praised for his portrayal of the title character in The Black Panther.
Despite the exciting news, several fans were saddened to learn that Washington will be retiring after his upcoming film projects.
He landed his first role in a television movie in 1977 and made his big screen debut in the 1981 film ‘Carbon Copy.’
One of the many honors Washington received was the AFI Life Achievement Award, presented to him by Boseman in 2019.
Boseman retold the story of how Washington paid for his education on the Oxford-based show before calling him the “dumbest actor on the planet.”
“There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington… Not just for me, but for my entire cast, that generation is on your shoulders,” Boseman said.
“It is an honor to meet you now, learn from you and join this work with you.”