Ryan Coogler Announces That ‘Black Panther 3’ Is In Development And Will Be His Next Film

Ryan Coogler has announced that development has already begun on Black Panther 3, and that it will be his next film, MovieWeb reports.

Coogler first joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2018, directing the original Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman. The film was released to critical acclaim, earning 96% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing $1.3 billion against a budget of $200 million. After Boseman’s untimely passing from cancer, the series was retooled to focus on Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which earned an 84% Critics’ Score and grossed $850 million against a $200 million budget.

Now, after the huge success of Sinners this past summer, Coogler recently spoke at the panel for the vampire horror film at Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles, about the superhero sequel being his next project:

“…We’re working on it….we’re working on it hard. … Yeah, it’s the next movie.”

While still early in development, a notable piece of casting has already been hinted at, with Denzel Washington mentioning during the press tour for Gladiator II last November that a part was being written for him, which would be one of his final roles before he retires:

“I want to do things I haven’t done. I played Othello at 22, and I’m about to play Othello at 70. After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther…After that, I’m gonna retire.”

Coogler would confirm his interest in working with Washington several months later.

Further production or release date details about Black Panther 3 have yet to be announced as of this writing.