Because the world was desperately waiting for it, Marvel has announced a third Black Panther movie. The latest installment in the franchise will feature David Jonson as T’Challa’s son, and Letitia Wright will reprise her role. Ryan Coogler, who directed the first two films, will return to helm the project. Because what’s a few more years of—or a lifetime of—Wakanda not being forever, right?
As part of their big Comic-Con panel, Marvel made the announcement, confirming that the Black Panther series will indeed continue. Given the success of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which grossed $859 million worldwide, it’s not entirely surprising. What is somewhat surprising is Coogler’s decision to return, considering he had the freedom to pursue other projects after the success of Sinners, which grossed over $370 million worldwide. Perhaps the allure of Wakanda was too great to resist, or maybe the checks just didn’t bounce.
The Marvel Machine Keeps Churning
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) continues to expand, with a slew of upcoming projects, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, and Avengers: Secret Wars. Additionally, a Ghost Rider movie starring Ryan Gosling is in the works, because who doesn’t want to see another reboot of a beloved character? The Content Mines remain fully operational, and the machine shows no signs of slowing down.
Letitia Wright will once again star as Shuri, the new Black Panther, after taking on the mantle in Wakanda Forever. The film will also see the return of Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor, the ruler of the underwater nation of Talokan. Both Wright and Mejia will also appear in this year’s Avengers: Doomsday, because what’s a Marvel movie without a few dozen characters and plotlines?
The decision to greenlight a third Black Panther film was likely a no-brainer, given the success of the previous two installments. The first film, released in 2018, was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide. The sequel, Wakanda Forever, while not quite reaching the same heights, still performed admirably at the box office. It’s clear that the franchise has legs, and Marvel is eager to capitalize on its popularity.
The Nostalgia Train Keeps Rolling
As the entertainment industry continues to mine the depths of nostalgia, it’s no surprise that Marvel is sticking with what works. The Black Panther franchise has proven to be a goldmine, and the introduction of new characters and plotlines will likely keep fans engaged. Somewhere a Focus Group earned another bonus, and executives reportedly nodded very seriously during an expensive meeting. The fact that Coogler is returning to direct the film suggests that Marvel is committed to maintaining the high level of quality that fans have come to expect from the franchise.
In the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s passing, the franchise shifted its focus to his character’s sister, Shuri. The decision to make her the new Black Panther was a bold one, but it paid off, and Wright’s performance was widely praised. The introduction of T’Challa’s son, played by David Jonson, adds a new dynamic to the story, and it will be interesting to see how the character is developed.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, it’s clear that the Black Panther franchise will remain a key part of it. With Coogler at the helm and a talented cast, the third installment is likely to be another successful outing for the franchise. And who knows, maybe someday we’ll get a Black Panther Cinematic Universe of our own, complete with spin-offs and TV shows. A guy can dream, right?
In the meantime, fans can look forward to the upcoming Marvel movies, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday. The Merchandising Department reportedly approved the decision before the writers did, and investors reportedly became emotional after hearing the phrase “shared cinematic universe.” It’s just another day in the world of Hollywood, where the anticipation of a movie’s release is often more exciting than the actual movie itself. And so, the cycle continues, as another beloved franchise has successfully avoided the sweet release of death, at least for a little while longer.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
