Denzel Washington may have let a big secret slip, revealing that director Ryan Coogler is crafting a role for him in Black Panther 3.

During an interview on Australia’s Today show on Channel 9, Washington, who is also starring in Gladiator 2, talked about his upcoming projects. Alongside mentioning Hannibal, a film by Steve McQueen, he shared the unexpected news that’s sure to reach Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige’s office: “After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.”

Denzel Washington says that Ryan Coogler is currently writing a role for him in the next “Black Panther” film

He also says he’s going to retire after a few more films pic.twitter.com/2qaiudtBdF

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 12, 2024

Although Marvel has yet to officially confirm Black Panther 3, Washington’s comment suggests the project is in development.

The possibility of a third installment in the Black Panther franchise isn’t surprising, given the success of the previous films. The original Black Panther, led by the late Chadwick Boseman, was a blockbuster, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide. The 2022 sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, honored Boseman’s legacy and earned $859 million, a strong showing at the box office according to Box Office Mojo.

Washington’s role in Black Panther 3 remains unknown, but Letitia Wright, who plays Shuri, has hinted that she may reprise her role in the future. When asked about her involvement, Wright expressed enthusiasm, saying Shuri is “one of my favorite characters” and that she feels incredibly fortunate to portray her.

When specifically questioned about Black Panther 3, Wright replied playfully, “There’s a lot to — a lot coming up.”

Additionally, Marvel Studios has announced Eyes of Wakanda, an animated series for Disney+ that will follow Wakandan warriors on missions across the globe to retrieve powerful vibranium artifacts. The series does not yet have a release date.

Chadwick Boseman: “There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington.” Love this! pic.twitter.com/Lyz8Wki4j5 https://t.co/sWXF77tMiu

— Amon Warmann (@AmonWarmann) November 12, 2024