*Warning: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Spoilers Ahead*
After more than four years of wait, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to the 2018 superhero blockbuster Black Panther, hit the screens on November 11. While fans are showering praises on the film, they are also missing the former lead star, Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away in 2020 due to colon cancer.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever deals with the aftermath of King T’Challa’s death and how Wakandans face a new threat in the form of Namor. The film ends with some loose strings that open the doors for a potential sequel. But is Black Panther 3 happening? Here is everything we know so far.
Will there be a Black Panther 3?
Marvel has not yet officially confirmed the third film in the Black Panther franchise, but do not worry, as the studio does not generally confirm the sequels immediately after a film’s release. Even Black Panther 2 was announced more than a year after the first film’s release.
The message at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever says: Wakanda Will Return, so it is pretty clear that the story will be taken forward in a subsequent film. Moreover, the film’s producer and director have also hinted at a potential sequel to the film.
“This world is expansive, and there are so many great characters. Beyond what happens with this film, there are more opportunities to go back to Wakanda. There are no shortage of ideas, let’s put it that way,” producer Nate Moore said in an interview.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige also revealed that he had a discussion with director Ryan Coogler about Black Panther 3 and ‘ideas pitched back and forth.’
Black Panther 3 Potential Release Date
As of now, there is no official confirmation about the release date of the film. Marvel has already announced their film schedule for Phases 5 and 6 that go on till 2026, and sadly that does not mention Black Panther 3, so we might have to wait until 2027 to see the world of Wakanda again.
However, the studio does have some unfilled release dates in the next four years: July 25, 2025; November 7, 2025; February 13, 2026; July 24, 2026; and November 6, 2026. The time gap between the first two Black Panther films stands at more than four years, but that involved a pandemic. So chances are we may get to watch Wakanda Forever before or in 2026.
What to Expect from Black Panther 3?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever featured several incidents that could set up Black Panther 3. Namor tells his cousin Namora that one day the world will turn against Wakanda to get their hands on Vibranium, which could possibly be the premise of the third film.
There is also the new character of Prince T’Challa, son of King T’Challa and Nakia who is introduced to Shuri in the post-credits scene. The subsequent film could deal with the character and how he fits into the larger narrative of the MCU.
Meanwhile, M’Baku also challenges to be the new King of Wakanda at the end of the film, which could lead to another potential storyline. As for the cast, all the main characters are expected to return, including Letitia Wright as Shuri, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia and Danai Gurira as Okoye.
The sequel may also feature Winston Duke as M’Baku and Tenoch Huerta as Namor, Michaela Coel as Aneka, and Mabel Cadena as Namora. Angela Basset is unlikely to return as her character Ramonda is killed off in Black Panther 2.
Would you want to watch the third film in the Black Panther franchise? Tell us in the comments section.
