David Jonsson` attends the Marvel Studios Panel at 2026 San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney/AFP (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Director Ryan Coogler took the legendary Hall H stage at San Diego Comic-Con alongside Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige to deliver one of the convention’s biggest reveals: rising British actor David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus, Industry) has been cast to take up the superhero mantle in Black Panther 3. Officially slated for a 15 December 2028 theatrical release, the announcement marks a pivotal passing of the torch for the franchise.
Jonsson will star as an adult Prince T’Challa II, the son of the iconic character originally brought to life by the late Chadwick Boseman. Boseman’s powerful portrayal of King T’Challa in the 2018 blockbuster transformed the character into a global cultural phenomenon before his tragic death from colon cancer in 2020. Rather than immediately recasting the role, Marvel honoured his legacy in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by having T’Challa’s sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), assume the protective mantle. Ryan Reynolds, dressed up as Deadpool, speaks from the audience during the Marvel Studios Panel at 2026 San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026 in San Diego, California.
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Disney/AFP (Photo by Joe Scarnici / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
A New Era For Wakanda
Audiences were first introduced to Prince T’Challa II as a young boy in Wakanda Forever’s emotional mid-credits scene. Jonsson’s casting signals a significant progression for the character, positioning him as the long-term successor to the Wakandan throne. Joining Coogler and Jonsson on stage were returning franchise stars Letitia Wright and Winston Duke (M’Baku), confirming their central roles in the threequel. In a major technical update for film purists, Coogler revealed that Black Panther 3 will break Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) tradition by being shot entirely on large-format celluloid film, promising a rich, textured cinematic experience tailored for IMAX screens. (L-R) Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel at 2026 San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026 in San Diego, California.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney/AFP (Photo by Jesse Grant / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Grounded Storytelling Post-‘Secret Wars’
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Structurally, the 2028 feature is positioned as a post-reboot, standalone pillar for the next chapter of the MCU. It will arrive in cinemas one year after the reality-bending ensemble event Avengers: Secret Wars hits theatres on 17 December 2027.
Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool cosplay speaks from the audience during the Marvel Studios Panel at 2026 San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney/AFP (Photo by Jesse Grant / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Before Jonsson claims his birthright in Wakanda, Marvel fans will navigate a theatrical roadmap starting with Spider-Man: Brand New Day (31 July 2026), followed by Robert Downey Jr.’s debut as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday (18 December 2026).
