David Jonsson Has Been Cast as T’Challa’s Son in “Black Panther 3,” Set for Release Dec. 15, 2028, With Ryan Coogler Returning to Direct
Wakanda is returning to theaters with a new hero carrying the Black Panther mantle.
Marvel Studios announced that David Jonsson will star in the third “Black Panther” film as an adult Prince T’Challa II, the son of T’Challa and Nakia. The movie is scheduled to arrive exclusively in theaters on Dec. 15, 2028.
Ryan Coogler revealed the casting during Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con. Coogler will return to direct the third installment after leading the franchise’s first two films.
“The last time we got to make a movie, we introduced a character who is the son of the character that the great Chadwick Boseman played, our T’Challa,” Coogler said. “And today, I want to tell you that in this next film, he grows up [and] he comes of age.”
David Jonsson Becomes the New Black Panther
Jonsson joined Coogler, Letitia Wright and Winston Duke onstage as Marvel confirmed that he will become the franchise’s new Black Panther.
“Thank you Ryan, thank you Kevin [Feige], thank you to this amazing family that I have the honor and the privilege and the blessing to join,” Jonsson told the Comic-Con audience. “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.”
Prince T’Challa II was introduced as a young child at the end of 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Nakia, played by Lupita Nyong’o, revealed that she and T’Challa had secretly raised their son in Haiti away from the pressures of the Wakandan throne.
Jonsson’s casting signals that the third film will move the character into adulthood and center his journey toward accepting his family’s legacy.
The British actor has built a rising Hollywood career through performances in “Alien: Romulus,” “The Long Walk,” “Rye Lane” and the HBO series “Industry.”
Ryan Coogler and Wakanda’s Familiar Faces Return
Wright will reprise her role as Shuri after becoming the Black Panther in “Wakanda Forever.” Duke will also return as M’Baku, although Marvel has not revealed how the characters will respond to the arrival of an adult T’Challa II.
The franchise shifted its story toward Shuri after Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer at 43 in 2020. Boseman originated the role of King T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and led the first “Black Panther” film.
Released in 2018, “Black Panther” earned approximately $1.3 billion worldwide and became the first superhero movie nominated for the Academy Award for best picture. It received seven Oscar nominations and won three awards.
“Wakanda Forever” followed in 2022, grossing about $859 million worldwide and earning five Academy Award nominations. Angela Bassett became the first performer in a Marvel film to receive an acting nomination.
Before “Black Panther 3” arrives, Wright is scheduled to return as Shuri in “Avengers: Doomsday,” which is set for release Dec. 18, 2026.
