Credit: Marvel StudiosThe future of Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to generate discussion, with new reports shedding light on how Marvel Studios might move forward with the iconic role of T’Challa.
Phase Four of the MCU came to a close with 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a film shaped by profound emotion and the real-world loss of Chadwick Boseman. More than just a sequel, the film served as a farewell to both a beloved actor and his unforgettable character.
Despite Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) achieving monumental box office success and fan enthusiasm, the rest of Phase Four struggled to find similar momentum.
Originally, Marvel had plans to conclude the phase with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and The Marvels (2023), but the honor ultimately went to Wakanda Forever—a fitting tribute and a thematic bookend.
Boseman’s passing in 2020 reverberated throughout Hollywood, and Marvel’s decision not to recast T’Challa sparked immediate and passionate debate. Boseman’s portrayal had come to define the character for many, and his absence left fans wondering how Wakanda’s story would continue.
When Marvel brought Wakanda Forever to San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, its first teaser debuted to an emotional crowd, prompting more questions than answers about the direction of the franchise.
The choice not to recast T’Challa led to polarized reactions across the fandom. While some praised the studio’s tribute to Boseman, others felt it left the story incomplete. A vocal portion of fans even went as far as labeling it “the biggest attack in Marvel history,” with some threatening to skip the sequel entirely.
Still, Wakanda Forever managed to hold strong at the box office, earning $859 million worldwide—not quite matching the original’s $1.346 billion haul, but a solid finish to what many saw as an uneven Phase Four.
Black Panther 3 Developments
The MCU is plotting its next steps. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that Black Panther 3 is officially in the works, with producer Nate Moore returning one last time following his planned exit after Captain America: Brave New World (2025).
Reports have surfaced that Marvel is actively exploring ways to bring T’Challa back to the screen—possibly via the Multiverse.
One scenario being floated would see a new iteration of the character introduced through upcoming crossover events like Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), where Robert Downey Jr. is expected to return—not as Tony Stark, but as Victor Von Doom.
Now, new information has come to light regarding the future of the Black Panther universe. “According to Jeff Sneider on The Hot Mic, Black Panther 3, that’s February 2028. That’s going to start production at the top of 2027. And that will be in theaters February 2028,'” Comic Book Movie reported.
Interestingly, Marvel Studios is holding the February 18, 2028, release slot, one of three slots the studio owns in Phase Seven and beyond.
This report comes as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed that the MCU is headed towards a reset after Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) is set to close out the Multiverse Saga at the end of Phase Six.
A New Actor to Play T’Challa?
At the same time, another theory suggests Marvel could shift its focus to an older version of T’Challa’s son, introduced in Wakanda Forever as Toussaint, the child of T’Challa and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o). Names being speculated for this potential “New T’Challa” include John David Washington, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Aaron Pierre.
Another contender reportedly entered the mix earlier this year—Black Adam (2022) and Cross star Aldis Hodge. Known for his role as Hawkman in the DC film, Hodge is said to be on Marvel’s radar as a possible choice for the next chapter of Wakanda’s legacy.
Whether the studio intends to reintroduce a Multiversal version of T’Challa or position Toussaint as the next Black Panther in Earth-616 continuity remains unclear. Either way, it appears Marvel is carefully weighing its options for the character’s future.
Meanwhile, another claim from scooper My Time To Shine Hello has stirred controversy, suggesting that the studio has “only met with ‘light-skinned’ actors thus far.” The report has sparked criticism online, but as of now, there’s been no official word from Marvel Studios or The Walt Disney Company regarding the claim.
Another Cast as Black Panther
In the animated universe, the recently released Eyes of Wakanda from Todd Harris and Ryan Coogler saw The Princess and the Frog star Anika Noni Rose take on the role of Black Panther. Noni Rose appeared as the Black Panther in the final episode of the Eyes of Wakanda quartet, “The Last Panther.”
All episodes of Eyes of Wakanda are now streaming on Disney+
What direction do you think Marvel should take with T’Challa’s future? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments below.