Photo Credit:Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images/Marvel Studios
When filmmaker Ryan Coogler began mapping out the cast for Black Panther 3 one name stood out at the top of his wishlist: Denzel Washington.
During his recent appearance on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, which aired on Thursday, June 5, Coogler, 39, opened up about his long-standing dream to collaborate with the legendary actor.
“Denzel is like family now,” Coogler said to host Carmelo Anthony. “Working with him has been a goal since day one. I think he’s the greatest actor alive — and what he represents for our culture is beyond words. We’ve been having this conversation for a long time.”
Back in November 2024, Washington, now 70, mentioned in an interview on Australian Today that he and Coogler were already discussing a role for him in the upcoming Marvel sequel. Coogler later admitted he was caught off guard by Washington sharing the news publicly. During that same
interview, Washington outlined his future projects, noting that after Black Panther 3, he plans to star in an Othello adaptation, followed by King Lear after which he hinted at retirement. “I’m choosing projects based on the directors I want to work with now,” Washington shared. “At this stage, I’m only interested in working with the best. I’m not sure how many more films I’ll make, so I want to make each one count.”
In addition to Black Panther 3, Washington is also set to appear in Highest 2 Lowest, directed by Spike Lee, a project Coogler is highly anticipating. “I’m beyond excited for that film,” Coogler said on the podcast. “That trailer, Denzel’s performance — he’s in rare form. Whenever Spike and Denzel team up, it’s something special.”
Meanwhile, Coogler’s own recent film Sinners hit theaters last month. The movie stars Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and Miles Caton, and follows twin brothers returning to their hometown only to uncover a darker threat. “Making this film was personal,” Coogler said, adding that he was inspired by directors like Spike Lee. “I just wanted to give Spike a film experience worthy of what he’s given us. I cried when it was finished.”
According to IMDb, Black Panther 3 is slated for release in February 2028. The original film, led by the late Chadwick Boseman, debuted in January 2018, followed by *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* in November 2022.
During his recent appearance on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, which aired on Thursday, June 5, Coogler, 39, opened up about his long-standing dream to collaborate with the legendary actor.
“Denzel is like family now,” Coogler said to host Carmelo Anthony. “Working with him has been a goal since day one. I think he’s the greatest actor alive — and what he represents for our culture is beyond words. We’ve been having this conversation for a long time.”
Back in November 2024, Washington, now 70, mentioned in an interview on Australian Today that he and Coogler were already discussing a role for him in the upcoming Marvel sequel. Coogler later admitted he was caught off guard by Washington sharing the news publicly. During that same
interview, Washington outlined his future projects, noting that after Black Panther 3, he plans to star in an Othello adaptation, followed by King Lear after which he hinted at retirement. “I’m choosing projects based on the directors I want to work with now,” Washington shared. “At this stage, I’m only interested in working with the best. I’m not sure how many more films I’ll make, so I want to make each one count.”
In addition to Black Panther 3, Washington is also set to appear in Highest 2 Lowest, directed by Spike Lee, a project Coogler is highly anticipating. “I’m beyond excited for that film,” Coogler said on the podcast. “That trailer, Denzel’s performance — he’s in rare form. Whenever Spike and Denzel team up, it’s something special.”
Meanwhile, Coogler’s own recent film Sinners hit theaters last month. The movie stars Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and Miles Caton, and follows twin brothers returning to their hometown only to uncover a darker threat. “Making this film was personal,” Coogler said, adding that he was inspired by directors like Spike Lee. “I just wanted to give Spike a film experience worthy of what he’s given us. I cried when it was finished.”
According to IMDb, Black Panther 3 is slated for release in February 2028. The original film, led by the late Chadwick Boseman, debuted in January 2018, followed by *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* in November 2022.
