Ryan Coogler has confirmed reports of Denzel Washington having a role in the next Black Panther sequel, and there is one role in the franchise that would be absolutely perfect for him. Fans are already speculating whether Washington will take on a villain role, or perhaps a prior Black Panther from Wakanda’s history, but there’s an even better option on the table.
The MCU is still in its Multiverse Saga, something Black Panther 3 should take advantage of, in order to deliver a cinematic story Marvel shouldn’t pass up: Denzel Washington as an older T’Challa from a parallel timeline.
Details are scarce on Washington’s casting in the still-untitled Black Panther 3; the film hasn’t entered production, or even been formally announced by Marvel Studios just yet. However, there’s a strong argument for why Denzel would make the best T’Challa to -up Chadwick Boseman’s iconic performance, and recent developments in the comics hint that it is a possibility.
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The Academy-Award Winner Would Make A Perfect "Old Man T’Challa"
Chadwick Boseman left big shoes to fill with passing, and Denzel Washington taking on the role of T’Challa would be a beautiful way to honor the late actor and the character he initially brought to life in the MCU. Washington was instrumental in supporting Boseman’s career personally, and he has made a profound impact on cinema as a whole, especially for black talent. Boseman once said himself that there would be no Black Panther film without Washington’s contributions to the craft, so bringing him in to complete T’Challa’s cinematic story would be a true full-circle moment.
Still, the strength of Washington’s potential casting wouldn’t only be for meta reasons, as the legendary actor would also just be a great fit in the role of T’Challa. Washington’s extensive career from stage to screen proves that he can exude the regal quality that T’Challa requires as King of Wakanda, capturing both his emotional vulnerability and his strength. Importantly, Black Panther comes from the world of superhero comics and must also be an action-packed role, and Denzel’s continued work in something like The Equalizer franchise as recently as 2023 proves he can still kick serious ass in the role.
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People are still speculating about what role Denzel could take on in the Marvel Universe, but if the acclaimed actor only plans on taking one role from the comics in his career, it would be amazing to see him become the Black Panther himself. Not only would Washington bring major gravitas to the role, he could have an impact on the character that’s felt throughout comics as well. Though he still looks way younger, Washington is currently 70 years old, so it would be an older and more mature take on T’Challa’s character than is usually depicted in the comics.
Series that offer a glimpse into some version of a character’s future in their older age, like Wolverine’s run in Marvel Comics as Old Man Logan and others like it, have become some of Marvel’s best stories by showing the full scope of the lives of iconic characters. While T’Challa wasn’t really featured in the timeline of Old Man Logan or Old Man Hawkeye, the MCU has a chance to give the Black Panther franchise a definitive Old Man T’Challa story. However, the return of the Marvel Knights brand is also making a similar attempt in the comics in 2025.
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Two Current Marvel Comic Series Spotlight An Older T’Challa
There are two comic series that are currently still releasing which feature an older version of T’Challa in some other universe or future timeline, meaning a veteran version of the Black Panther icon is a real possibility for the MCU. Marvel Knights: The World to Come, written by Christopher Priest, with art by by Joe Quesada, is primarily focused on telling the future of T’Challa and Wakanda. The first issue of the series just came out in early June 2025, and is already making headlines for its controversial new Black Panther heir.
The second series with an older T’Challa may be surprising, but it actually features a dynamic that the MCU is more likely to replicate if they go down that route. Aliens vs. Avengers, written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Esad Ribić, is a crossover between Marvel’s heroes and the sci-fi horror franchise, which also happens to take place years in the future. In this series, T’Challa has trained his son Azari, and they battle aliens together in space. While Xenomorphs likely won’t make an MCU appearance anytime soon, an aged universe-displaced T’Challa variant could come into play in a future Black Panther film.
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With the grand scale of the Marvel Multiverse, the possibilities for the next Black Panther film, and Denzel Washington’s role in it, are pretty much endless. Shuri is still the MCU’s Black Panther currently, but after years in the role, from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to the eventual Avengers: Secret Wars, perhaps it’s time for her to go back to being primarily a tech genius and give T’Challa a comeback. Washington taking on the role of T’Challa feels like a respectful way to go about including the character again, while also being a bold and exciting change for the franchise.
Hot off the astounding success of Sinners and building the Black Panther corner of the MCU in the first place, Ryan Coogler surely has something great cooking for Denzel’s role in the next installment, whatever it may be. Still, it would truly be a wonder to behold the legendary actor taking on the role of one of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes of all time. With such a strong and talented performer bringing T’Challa back to the forefront, it could impact his stories in Marvel Comics as well, for the better, giving deserved reverence to the Black Panther mantle and Wakanda.
Denzel Washington could have been cast as Black Panther for decades, and if Marvel movies were made more often in years past, he surely would have been every studio’s top choice for the role, which makes his potential casting as T’Challa even more perfect. A major theme of the franchise, in both films and comics, is the history of the mantle and being connected to ancestors. Completing T’Challa’s story is vital to the legacy of Black Panther, and Denzel Washington taking on the role would be an incredible way to honor actor Chadwick Boseman.
Black Panther
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