David Jonsson to play T'Challa's son in Black Panther 3
Marvel has set Black Panther 3 for Dec. 15, 2028, with David Jonsson cast as T'Challa's son in a coming-of-age story. Ryan Coogler returns to direct, and Letitia Wright reprises Shuri, in Comic-Con news that marks the franchise's next chapter after Wakanda Forever.
Key Takeaways
- Black Panther 3 is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2028.
- David Jonsson will play T'Challa's son as the story follows him coming of age.
- Ryan Coogler returns to direct; Letitia Wright reprises Shuri.
- The casting and date were announced at Comic-Con.
- Wright is also part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast.
Who is David Jonsson playing in Black Panther 3?
According to Variety, Jonsson is Marvel's new hero in the third Black Panther film. He portrays T'Challa's son, and the movie will follow his character as he comes of age.
That choice keeps the royal bloodline at the center of Wakanda's story while introducing a fresh lead for audiences who grew up with the first two movies. For more Marvel and release-date alerts, browse our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
When does Black Panther 3 come out?
Theaters are set for Dec. 15, 2028. The date lands years after 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, giving Coogler and the team a long runway to regroup—matching Wright's 2023 comments that the third film needed time in the lab.
Fans will see Wright as Black Panther sooner: she is part of the sprawling Avengers: Doomsday cast, which Variety notes is due in theaters on Dec. 18.
Who is returning for the third film?
Coogler is back in the director's chair. Wright returns as Shuri, the role she expanded after taking over as Black Panther in Wakanda Forever following the death of Chadwick Boseman, who originated T'Challa and died of colon cancer at 43 in 2020 while Coogler worked on the sequel.
The Comic-Con announcement frames the third installment as both a continuation and a handoff, pairing a new lead with the creative voices that defined the series.
How big has the Black Panther franchise been?
The 2018 original grossed $1.3 billion worldwide, earned seven Oscar nominations including best picture, and won three Oscars for costume design, production design, and original score. Wakanda Forever took in $859 million worldwide in 2022, opened with $331 million globally, and earned five Oscar nominations, including Angela Bassett's historic supporting-actress nod for a Marvel film.
With Jonsson stepping in as T'Challa's son and a firm 2028 release, Black Panther 3 now has a clear public timetable—and a new face to carry the mantle forward.