Denzel Washington says he will be in Black Panther 3, teasing it as one of his final movies before retirement

American actor and film producer Denzel Washington recently announced that he would be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Black Panther 3. In an interview with Australia's Today Show on November 12, the 69-year-old actor shared that director Ryan Coogler is developing a role specifically for him in the yet-to-be-announced Black Panther sequel.

Washington also hinted that this project, along with a few other upcoming films, would likely be among his last before he retires from acting.

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Denzel Washington’s retirement and upcoming projects

As Denzel Washington nears retirement, he has outlined a thoughtful series of final roles. His upcoming movies include Spike Lee’s High N Low, Antoine Fuqua’s Hannibal, a new film with director Steve McQueen, and his Marvel debut in Black Panther 3.

During the conversation, Washington stated that he would be reprising his role in Shakespeare’s Othello on Broadway with actor Jake Gyllenhaal, a part he first portrayed at 22. The actor also plans to tackle King Lear before stepping away from the screen.

"For me, it's about the filmmaker. Especially at this point in my career, I'm only interested in working with the best," Washington remarked. "I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. Probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done."

Although Denzel Washington confirmed his involvement in Black Panther 3, Marvel Studios has not officially announced Black Panther 3, and details about his character remain undisclosed.

The film is expected to follow Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, released in 2022 and directed by Coogler. Wakanda Forever honored the late Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in 2020, and introduced Letitia Wright’s Shuri as the new Black Panther.

In an interview with Variety at the 2023 Golden Globes, Wright hinted at a third installment but noted that it would likely take time to materialize. In a 2019 interview, Boseman shared that Washington had once paid for him and his classmates to attend a summer acting program at Oxford University.

"There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington," Chadwick Boseman said while presenting Washington with the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Although they never worked together on-screen, Chadwick Boseman credited Washington’s support as pivotal in his career.

Denzel Washington’s decision to join the Black Panther series may reflect not only his respect for Coogler but also his admiration for the roles crafted for actors like Angela Bassett in Wakanda Forever. Bassett’s portrayal earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination, a rare achievement for actors in superhero films.

"Gladiator II" Premiere At Pathé Palace (Image via Getty)

With Marvel Studios already planning major releases up to 2027, Black Panther 3 could debut in the later stages of Marvel’s current phase. Upcoming films on the studio roster include Captain America: Brave New World in early 2025, followed by Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: The First Steps.

The next major crossover event, Avengers: Doomsday, is slated for 2026, setting the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.