Kevin Feige Officially Confirms Black Panther 3 Is in Development—But Denzel Washington Already Let That Slip

Without much fanfare, Marvel Studios executives confirmed in a statement on another topic that a third Black Panther film is indeed in the works. The new Wakandan adventure hadn’t been previously announced during the unveiling of the MCU’s next phases, but Denzel Washington spilled the beans a few weeks ago. The two-time Academy Award-winning actor revealed that Ryan Coogler, who directed and co-wrote the first two films, has a significant role in mind for him.

Following Washington's revelation, Marvel President Kevin Feige and Co-President Louis D’Esposito issued a joint statement. It came in the context of announcing the departure of longtime producer Nate Moore, who will leave the studio in March. Moore, who has been a cornerstone of the MCU’s success, played key roles in projects like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Civil War, Eternals, and both Black Panther films. Feige and D’Esposito expressed excitement that Moore will still contribute to Captain America: Brave New World, set to release in February, and Black Panther 3.

"Nate is an incredible leader, collaborator, and a dear friend to all of us at Marvel Studios. Since 2010, he’s been a foundational member of our team, and his impact will continue to resonate through our stories. While he’ll be greatly missed, we look forward to seeing what he does next and are fortunate that we’ll work with him on the next Black Panther film in a new capacity," reads Feige and D’Esposito’s statement, as reported by Deadline.

Moore was instrumental in developing the first Black Panther, which became one of the studio's biggest successes with $1.3 billion in global box office revenue and three Academy Awards out of seven nominations. He also played a crucial role in realizing the sequel following Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing. Although Black Panther: Wakanda Forever didn’t match its predecessor’s box office numbers, it still performed admirably.

Reflecting on his departure, Moore said, "I feel lucky to have worked with people who love filmmaking and storytelling as much as my colleagues at Marvel, as well as the talented casts and crews of our films. But I’m excited to apply my experience and passion across different genres of cinema—including a return to Wakanda with Black Panther 3."

So, Black Panther 3 is officially on the way. Washington’s comments suggest Coogler is firmly on board, and Letitia Wright (Shuri) had hinted after the second film’s release that development was already underway behind the scenes.