Fans have numerous questions aboutBlack Panther 3. Despite not being officially announced by Marvel Studios, fans know it is happening, and the franchise’s director, Ryan Coogler, has made no secret that he will follow up his blockbuster smash hit,Sinners, with a third (and possibly final)Black Panthermovie. Although there may not be an official release date, planned phase, or even a plot synopsis, one thing is sure:Denzel Washingtonwill be in it.
The legendary actor, best known for roles in acclaimed films likePhiladelphia,Malcolm X, andTraining Day,confirmed he would appear inBlack Panther 3while promotingGladiator II. With no idea what the story will be forBlack Panther 3, it may be challenging to know who Coogler might want Washington to play. Yet, looking through the rich history of Marvel Comics, a few names pop up that might be perfect for Denzel Washington. Here are five possible characters that Denzel Washington could be playing inBlack Panther 3.
Black Panther Vol. 2 #3
Changamire
Black Panther Vol. 6 #2
Black Panther Vol. 6 #1
New X-Men Vol. 2 #23
Fantastic Four Unlimited #1
Created by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira
First Appearance:Black PantherVol. 2 #3 (January 1999)
Ever since Denzel Washington was rumored to be inBlack Panther 3, many assumed he would be the film’s villain, and the first name that has jumped out to many isAchebe. Writer Christopher Priest created the character to be the Black Panther’s version of the Joker. Given that the Joker is one of the most iconic comic book and film villains that has earned two actors an Academy Award win, a role like Achebe is ideally suited for two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington.
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Washington is known for playing characters of strong moral fiber, but some of his best roles have been when he is allowed to cut loose as a villain. Letting Washington truly let loose as a comic book villain is the type of pitch that seems too good to be true. Yet now it seems like a real possibility, sincefollowingIronheart, the stage might be set for Achebe. In the comics, Achebe is believed to have made a deal with Mephisto. Given that Ryan Coogler producedIronheart,the series that introduced Mephisto to the MCU, the director might have been planting the seeds forBlack Panther 3.
Created by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze
First Appearance:Black PantherVol. 6 #2 (May 2016)
Denzel Washington is one of the greatest actors of all time, conveying a sense of gravitas and intelligence. With all that in mind, maybe Washington isn’t set to be a villain but instead a central supporting character and possible mentor figure. He would make a greatChangamire, a relatively new character in Marvel Comics who made his debut in the comics eight years into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Changamire was a philosopher who worked alongside T’Challa’s father, T’Chacka, who was eventually exiled from Wakanda for his anti-monarchy beliefs.
Much of Coogler’s work in theBlack Pantherfranchise has been to both embrace and integrate the power fantasy of Wakanda.Changamire seems like a perfect character forBlack Panther 3,as it allows the franchise to address a common criticism leveled against it and its portrayal of the divine right of kings. Wakanda itself is in a state of transition, with the current Black Panther, Shuri, not even acting as its ruler butinstead allowing M’Baku to take the throne. Introducing a character like Changamire inBlack Panther 3could set up the idea that Wakanda may need to move away from a monarchy.
First Appearance:Black PantherVol. 6 #1 (April 2016)
Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze’sBlack Pantherminiseries was launched to help capitalize on the release ofCaptain America: Civil War, which introduced T’Challa and Black Panther to mainstream audiences. In the debut issue, the comic introduced a new villain for Black Panther that would be a good fit for Washington:Tetu. Tetu is a former political idealist who was a student of Changamire. Tetu leads a rebel group called the People in a war against the leadership of Wakanda. He is motivated by a desire to punish the wealthy elite who exploit the less fortunate, and goes to violent means.
Tetu’s complex motivation, driven by a desire to better others, taken to extreme violence, aligns with the franchise’sprior antagonists, Namorand Kilmonger.Featuring Washington in the role would help distinguish Tetu from the prior antagonist, as he is a more mature, seasoned warrior with years of experience and likely cynicism backing his worldview,which could contrast nicely with the youthful optimism of Wakandans like Shuri. Tetu is also a magician who can manipulate nature as well as create portals across time and space, potentially tying the villain to the world ofDoctor Strange, giving Coogler a new visual element to work with in hisBlack Pantherfilm and picking up on the magic subplots introduced inIronheart.
T’Chanda / Azzuri the Wise
Created by Roy Thomas and Herb Trimpe
First Appearance:Fantastic Four Unlimited#1 (January 1993)
Coogler and Marvel are looking to explore the lineage of the Black Panther and Wakandan history. Coogler is the producer on the upcoming animated series,Eyes of Wakanda, which will explore different generationsof Wakandans, including past Black Panthers across time. Meanwhile, a videogame titledMarvel: 1943will be released in 2026 and will take place during World War II, featuring a meeting between Captain America and the Black Panther of that era,T’Chanda, also known as Azzuri the Wise. Washington could theoretically play T’Chanda in the MCU in a series of flashbacks, or even in the Astral Plane.
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Being the grandfather of T’Challa, Shuri, and Kilmonger and also the father of T’Chacka and N’Jobu, there is an interesting parallel storyline to explore between T’Chanda and his descendants.Black Panther 3could borrow the structure ofThe Godfather Part II, which tells two parallel stories of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) and his father Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro). This would perfectly fit in withEyes of Wakanda, further connecting the animated series with the feature films and allowing Black Panther 3 to build off its story.
Created by Craig Kyle, Chris Yost, and Mark Brooks
First Appearance:New X-MenVol. 2 #23 (April 2006)
Gentleis undoubtedly a wildcard pick. Nezhno “Nez” Abidemi / Gentle is a mutant from Wakanda who has Vibranium tattoos. He can temporarily increase his body’s muscle mass to extreme levels, including willing himself to immediately grow and strengthen to the extent that he can lift at least 100 tons, which gives him the ability to go toe-to-toe with the Hulk. Yet he can’t sustain his powers for long and can have damaging medical implications on his body, including seizures and death. He is a pacifist and tends to avoid violence at all costs, using his powers only in extreme emergencies (hence his codename, Gentle).
Black Panther 3is expected to hit theaters in 2028, during Phase Seven of the MCU and what many are hoping to be called The Mutant Saga. That name might not only be about the X-Men’s upcoming reboot, but the idea of mutants now appearing across various other MCU titles.While fans might be hoping for Storm(which could still happen), Gentle could be the ideal mutant forBlack Panther 3.
