Marvel unveils 'Black Panther 3' with David Jonsson as T'Challa's son, sets December 2028 release at Comic-Con

Announcement at Comic-Con

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and director Ryan Coogler took the stage at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026 to confirm that "Black Panther 3" will arrive in theaters on December 15, 2028. Coogler introduced David Jonsson as the actor who will play T'Challa's grown son, Toussaint, also known as T'Challa II. The character first appeared in a post-credit scene of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022), where Lupita Nyong'o's Nakia presented the child to the late king's family. Denzel Washington, whose casting had been previously reported, was also confirmed to appear. The Hall H panel marked Jonsson's third straight Comic-Con with a major presentation, following "Alien: Romulus" and "The Long Walk."

We just had a terrific two years of bringing it out and everybody coming together to support it. We need a little bit of a break, we need to regroup and Ryan needs to get back into the lab, so it's going to take a little while, but we're really excited for you guys to see that.

Returning cast members Letitia Wright and Winston Duke joined Jonsson and Coogler onstage. Wright, who took over the Black Panther mantle as Shuri in "Wakanda Forever," is expected to appear in "Avengers: Doomsday" on December 18, 2026, two years before the trilogy's finale.

Cast and legacy

Jonsson, known for roles in HBO's "Industry," the romantic comedy "Rye Lane" (2023) and Fede Alvarez's "Alien: Romulus," was introduced by Coogler with a nod to his leading turn in Francis Lawrence's adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk." The young actor will portray a prince coming of age and eyeing the throne of Wakanda. Chadwick Boseman, who originated T'Challa and led the first film to a $1.3 billion global gross and three Academy Awards, died of colon cancer in 2020 at age 43. Coogler navigated that loss in "Wakanda Forever," which earned $859 million and an Oscar for Ruth Carter's costume design.

Box office and awards

The first "Black Panther" (2018) became the first superhero film nominated for Best Picture, winning Oscars for costume design, production design and original score. The sequel grossed $331 million in its opening weekend worldwide, one of the strongest post-pandemic starts, and landed five Oscar nominations. Angela Bassett's supporting actress nod was the first acting nomination for a Marvel movie. Carter won a second costume design Oscar for the sequel.

Timeline of the trilogy

Coogler had previously stated the script was in early development, but Friday's Comic-Con reveal was the first official confirmation that "Black Panther 3" will be the final installment of the trilogy. Marvel has not yet detailed the plot beyond T'Challa II's ascension.